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Correcting Water Damage Issues Before They Happen

July 15, 2008

It is always better when we can find water leaks in the home before they can cause any damage to occur to any walls, flooring, tiles, or woodwork, but this is not always the case. Sometimes we might have a leak in our basement that goes undetected for months before we discover it is there. Leaking behind a bathtub or shower wall can happen and cause mold to start to grow, even if it is a small one.

It is very important to keep a lookout in our home for water leaks of any size. When a leak causes an area to get wet and remain wet, it can cause wood rotting and mold growth. Mold growth can get out of hand quickly when the conditions are right. When mold grows on wet wood or sheetrock, it can mean that the whole area will have to be torn out and replaced to completely get rid of it. This can get expensive fast.

Minor plumbing issues are the main reasons for leaks in the home. These can usually be repaired by a home owner if they are handy around the house. If you are not very good with any plumbing issues, get a plumber in to make any repairs as soon as you find them. It is not wise to let water issues linger for longer than necessary.

Checking your water using appliances like the dishwasher, hot water heaters, washing machine, hot tubs, and refrigerators is a smart thing to do occasionally. Sometimes they will have a small leak that only occurs when they are in use. This can cause small puddles to happen and then dry up on their own when the appliance is not in use. This can cause floor rotting and mold growth too.

Even outside the home has the potential to cause water damage. Landscaping issues can cause cracking in the foundation and leak into the crawl space or into the home in the basement. Gutters that are installed improperly or damaged can cause water damage to the roof edge or foundation too. These problems also need to be taken care of as soon as they are discovered. Inspect your attic occasionally to identify roof leaks.

One sure way to lower the value of your home is to allow water to damage it. Not many people want to invest in a house that has had apparent water issues. Minor leaks may not cause extreme devastation, but they can cause problems never the less. Mold in a home has become a very serious issue and any evidence of water damage in the past might present a red flag for the possibility of mold somewhere in the house.

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