Water damage can be a huge headache. It can cause extensive damage to your home or business and can be very costly to repair. There are several common causes of water damage, and knowing what they are can help you take steps to prevent these from happening.

Burst Pipes

This is probably the most common cause of water damage. If your pipes are old, they may corrode over time, leading to small leaks that can quickly become big problems. Even if there aren't any signs of corrosion (e.g., rust), your pipes might still burst if the strain on them is too high or if they've been poorly installed. If you have a burst pipe, shut off the water right away and contact your local plumber for assistance or your local water restoration specialists. When a pipe bursts, it typically means there is a crack in the pipe that has allowed water to escape quickly from inside the pipe. The pressure from the water escaping often results in a loud noise, and depending on where your plumbing is located it may cause serious damage to surrounding areas.

Faulty Appliances

Your appliances might be operated by electricity or gas, but either way, they use up an enormous amount of water. Appliances that use up lots of water include hot water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets. Each appliance has the potential to act as a bottleneck for your plumbing system. If you have faulty appliances, it can result in poor circulation of water through your pipes which can lead to leaks or damage.

Storms and Bad Weather

If you live in an area that is prone to storms, make sure you are prepared. If you know your home is at risk for storm damage, install guttering and downspouts around the perimeter of your home to protect your roof from heavy rain. You should also consider investing in water-resistant building materials if you are concerned about flooding or heavy rains. Poorly draining areas of your yard should also be fixed to prevent flooding. For example, if water has trouble draining out of your lawn, you might consider installing drainage systems underneath the grass or hiring a landscaper who can install elevation systems that will help water move away from where it may cause damage.

Storms can cause flooding if the volume of rainfall is high enough, or if the drains can't handle the volume of water coming down from the sky. Even if you aren't in a flood zone, too much rainfall over a short period can cause problems.

Flooding

Flooding is perhaps one of the most obvious causes of water damage. Floods typically occur due to heavy rains, broken dams or levees, or tsunamis. If your home is located in a flood zone, it's important to be aware of this potential cause of water damage and take necessary preventive measures.

On the other hand, you might also experience flooding due to broken pipes inside your home which can be extremely dangerous. If you suspect that there is a burst pipe, shut off the water right away and contact your local plumber or restoration specialists for help.

Overflows

If you keep filling up a tub and forget you're doing it, it's easy to imagine the overflow that may occur. Leaky toilets can also contribute to overflows; sometimes the water fills up the tank of your toilet and finds its way out of small cracks on the base, on top of the toilet, through the flush handle, or the seat. Toilet overflows can quickly lead to extensive water damage, so it's important to stay on top of this potential cause by paying attention to any signs of moisture or unusual sounds coming from the toilet.

Dripping Faucets and Leaks

Dripping faucets are typically easy to ignore, but they can account for a lot of wasted water over time. Dripping faucets may also indicate that there is an underlying issue with your plumbing system, which could result in more serious problems if not dealt with immediately. Some drips only waste a few drops of water at a time, but others drip more constantly.

Dripping faucets are very common in homes where hot water is used constantly (e.g., in a household with several members who enjoy long showers). The constant flow of hot water wears down the washers in your faucets and causes them to leak. If you notice any leaking, you should fix the problem immediately before it leads to further damage.

To prevent some types of water damage, be sure to regularly check for any signs of moisture or issues with your appliances. Rainstorms, floods, burst pipes, and overflowing toilets can cause serious damage if they go unnoticed for too long. The best thing to do if you suspect a problem is to call a trusted plumber or emergency restoration company.