Fall and winter are the times of year during which the most water damage occurs. We at Sky Restore can attest to getting more calls requesting our help during this time. Read on to learn more about the causes of water damage and how to avoid these situations.
Pipes & Hoses
If you have been keeping up with our blog, you will have already read much about broken pipes and how damaging they can be to your home or business. As the saying goes, we don’t want to “beat a dead horse,” but we feel that, because it is one of the number one causes of water damage, we still must mention it. As we move into the colder months, be sure to have your aging pipes inspected to see if they are still holding up to use and that they will stay warm enough during the winter to avoid freezing. Also, check on your washing machine supply hoses, ice maker supply lines, dishwasher supply line, your hot tub and other appliances that are connected to water. Check to see that the hoses and connectors are in good working order.
Pro Tip: If you are worried about brittle supply lines, invest in metal braided washing machine lines, other high-quality piping for appliances, and copper pipes for ice makers. Replace old parts of your plumbing with PVC pipes.
Accidents
The second cause that is most common for water damage is accidents: a forgotten tub left to fill or a broken toilet. Though sometimes the cause of the overflow or damage is the malfunction of an appliance or plumbing feature, in many cases, the fault of the water damage is our children. Water is incredibly fascinating and, for most kids, a source of entertainment. We all remember bath time playing with toy boats and other watercrafts and wondering how full we could get the tub. Or even now, as adults, it may be easy to see how full we can get the tub so that we can enjoy the full effects of a warm soothing bath on cold winter days.
Pro Tip: Educating your children about the consequences of an overflowing tub or a malfunctioning toilet can help them avoid a bad situation. Also, installing tubs and sinks that automatically drain when they reach a particular fullness can also help.
Sewer Backup
A sewer backup is a homwowner’s worst nightmare; not only is there water in your home, but it’s disgusting water. Though a sewer backup isn’t the most common cause of water damage, all homeowners should look to avoid this conundrum through easy monthly maintenance; ridding your sewer lines of tree roots makes this issue an easy one to avoid. However, there are still situations out of your control that can cause a sewer to backup such as a problem with the main line or storm sewer. If a backup occurs and it’s due to a problem with the main line, it is the city’s responsibility to get it fixed.
Pro Tip: Flush an enzyme treatment down your toilet each month during the spring and summer months to clear your lines of roots. The tree won’t be damaged and your pipes with stay intact.
Have Water Damage? Call Us!
Stay tuned for part 2 of this short blog series to learn about the remaining causes of water damage to homes and businesses. Winter brings with it enough challenges without adding the mess and frustration of water damage. We hope that this blog post will help you avoid water damage in your home or business, but know that, if an accident does occur, that we at Sky Restore are here for you! We offer water damage restoration services backed by professional knowledge and years of happy clients. Not only can we help you get your home back in order, but we can help you through the entire claims process. Visit our website to learn more about Sky Restore and our water damage restoration services that we provide.