Where to Find Common Sources of Water Damage | SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills team if you are dealing with any water damage.

Chances are good you didn’t wake up this morning with your fingers crossed, hoping you’d get to deal with a burst pipe or water running down your wall. Let’s be real—nobody wants to deal with water leaks, but as homeowners, sometimes we get no choice.

If you’re vigilant, however, you may be able to spot warning signs, or make necessary updates before aging pipes wear down. Here are a few places to keep your eyes on.

Toilets. Your toilet always has water running in and through various seals and tubes, and over time, it’s prone to develop leaks, particularly in the flapper or the valve seal, which are inexpensive and simple to replace.

Appliances. You likely have several appliances that use water hoses—dishwashers and refrigerators often develop leaky water supply lines—and traditional tank-style water heaters have been know to explode when they get over about 10 years old.

Clogged gutters. Shimmying up the ladder is inconvenient at best, but it’s a surefire way to prevent clogged gutters. Otherwise, dirt particles, leaves and other debris settle and compact themselves into an impassable dam, which means water finds its way up into and under your roof and trickling down your interior walls.

Roof damage. Your roof takes a beating. It’s the main line of defense against harsh sunshine, rain and hail, but all those things over time cause shingles to break, bow up or otherwise dissipate.

Pipes. Heavy water pressure or any oxidization can cause pipes to crack or fail, sending water spewing everywhere. And it’s not only an indoor threat—you may not even know that tree roots can find their way into the tiniest cracks in a sewer line or outdoor pipe and end up causing a complete blockage.

Blocked garbage disposals or other pipes. Eggshells, coffee grounds, and even rice or pasta can glob up in garbage disposals or soak up enough water to clog your sink drains. And what’s more, if your p-trap joints aren’t secure, the plunging you may have to do to unclog those drains can cause your pipes to separate and release all that water and gunk into your cabinetry or floor.

You can’t foresee every leak, but with an eagle’s eye, you can see some of them coming. Replacing hoses and keeping an eye on these common leak areas can prevent a number of water damage scenarios.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO of West Kirkwood/Sunset Hills - 314-858-1688 so we can get started.