5 Uncommon Causes of Water Damage

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

Water loss can come from many places.... you must investigate to locate the source.

Water damage inside the home or business can happen at any time of the year. For the most part, these tragedies happen without warning and can cause a serious amount of damage — no matter how small or large the issue is.

You need to continually monitor your home or business for things that can be done to eliminate the possibilities of water loss.  It’s essential to keeping your home, family, business, and employees safe. Without preparation, most people are just sitting ducks waiting for tragedy to strike their property.

Most people are aware of the most common causes of water damage. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the more uncommon and surprising causes of water damage.

Lake City, Lake Butler, Jasper, White Springs & Live Oak residents are generally aware of the most common causes. These include severe weather, broken pipes, floods, water spills, sewage backups and HVAC units. A majority of these occurrences require immediate assistance from a professional.

With that said, let’s take a look at some of the more uncommon and unexpected causes of water damage:

1. Plants – plants need water, whether they’re inside or outside. While overwatering can damage the plant, it can also lead to frequent spills. If not cleaned up immediately, that spill can cause water damage.
2. Gutters – a clogged gutter can wreak havoc on your home in a variety of ways. Water can pool up on the outside and inside of your home, eventually causing water damage and mold growth.
3. Wind – although rare, wind can lead to opening doors without your permission. If this happens during a rainstorm, water can leak into the home. If it happens when cold outside, it can freeze your pipes if temperatures drop low enough.
4. Fire – a fire already causes insurmountable damage to your property, but that damage is multiplied if using water to stop the fire. If not dealt with in a timely manner, this water can cause damage and mold growth.
5. Animals – animals can cause a variety of spills around the home if not supervised. Make sure there’s nothing your pet can spill before leaving them unsupervised.

No matter what the cause of water damage is, you shouldn’t waste any time in finding the source. Once found, time is of the essence. Stop the flow of water, remove it from the property, and contact your local SERVPRO to begin the recovery process. We take the restoration process seriously to ensure each homeowner and business owner can return to a safe property and normal daily routine.