Preventative Measures Against Water Damage

12/26/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage in a Mesa, AZ home

Preventative Measures Against Water Damage

When dealing with problematic water in the home, sometimes complacency is the biggest enemy. Many leak or flood scenarios are a result of a process that occurs over a long period of time. Early prevention is key to ensuring that your property in Mesa, AZ, stays dry.

1. Air Systems

Defective HVAC units are one major cause of leaks in the home. A broken pipe leading to or from the unit can cause visible condensation that accumulates and drips into the insulation below. Cold weather or improper operation can also cause the unit to freeze, resulting in periodic thawing that also creates problematic dripping. Overly-humid air can lead to pockets of moisture buildup over time, exacerbating these issues. Regular inspection of heating and air conditioning systems is necessary to prevent retention of water in the home.

2. Appliances and Related Plumbing

Dishwashers, refrigerators and other appliances need maintenance as well. Corrosion or mechanical wear can cause cracks or fit issues on pipes, gaskets and valves that connect your appliances to your home’s plumbing system. An appropriate pipe cleanup procedure involves both replacement of the broken components and a removal of any lingering water or soaked flooring or drywall surrounding the leak.

3. The Bathroom

Given the volume of water that moves through a typical bathroom, it should be no surprise that leakage can ensue there as well. Toilet drains and shower fixtures should also be inspected frequently to determine that water is only moving through the intended drainage channels. Again, persistent condensation, discoloration or oxidized metal surfaces can be indicative of a problem.

In short, drainage and ventilation keep a home dry. A single point of failure in any of these systems can be enough to cause substantial damage given enough time. Remember, if standing water in the home becomes a severe enough problem, it may be necessary to contact a professional cleanup service.