All the Places Water Damage Can Hide in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

Think you may have water damage in your home? Here are some tips from SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton to find the source.

Water is powerful, and when it flows into the wrong places, it can do damage that goes deep and widespread quickly. Unfortunately, there are lots of places in your home that water damage can hide out, meaning you could be looking at costly repairs when you do find it.

Getting to know where water damage likes to play hide and seek in your home can help you prevent extensive damage and stop other issues like mold before structural problems set in. By adding checking some of the most water-prone locations to your regular maintenance routines, you can win the game and protect your home.

Get familiar with these three areas as a start:

The roof of your home. When water damage starts on the roof, it often starts small and slow. There are a lot of ways water can seep in with the various nooks and crannies, which can make it very hard to detect when there is a problem.

Living in this part of Georgia gives us an advantage, though, as the weather stays generally mild in the fall and spring. Use this time to get on your roof and check for missing shingles, loose spots and blocked gutters. We get a lot of rain in these seasons as well, so make sure to keep a close eye on things after big storms, too.

When your roof leaks, it can lead to damage on every level of your home and create a moist environment in your attic that is perfect for mold growth. With our humid environment, it is even more important to check often for damp spots and replace insulation as needed.

Bathrooms. It should come as no surprise that your bathroom is a common spot for water damage, but it often goes unnoticed because of how often water is present in the bathroom anyways.

Look under the sink for signs of drips or puddles, and make sure the tub and sink faucet turn off completely. Check around your toilet base weekly for moisture, and do the same around the tub.

Your bathroom should dry out completely after every use, so if it consistently feels or smells damp, there could be a bigger problem. Make sure your drains empty quickly, and always run an exhaust fan to help remove water.

Appliances with water lines. Any appliance that has a water line can leak, and these leaks can be particularly challenging to find. More often than not, leaks occur under or behind the appliance, which means heavy damages can set in before you ever find it.

Pull your large appliances, including your washing machine, dishwasher and refrigerator, out and away from the wall one or two times a year. Clean under and behind them, and feel for damp, soft spots in the floor. Look for signs of mold growth as another indicator that your water line is having issues.

Watch for signs of problems when you use them as well. If you hear dripping, or water is running slower than usual, it could be worth investigating to ensure there isn’t a leak. Replace your appliances periodically to prevent problems before they start, and call SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton as soon as you do find damage.

Dealing with a water emergency? Our SERVPRO specialists can be on the scene of the disaster ASAP to restore your water-damaged home!