Water Damage in Winchester: Causes and Prevention

4/20/2017 (Permalink)

Water Damage in Winchester, VA.

Common Causes of Water Damage in Winchester, Virginia

Water damage is a common problem that many homeowners in Winchester, VA face each year. These problems can cause thousands of dollars in damage, and even force the family out of the house temporarily, or in some extreme cases, permanently.

So what are some of the most common causes of water damage in Winchester? We've sat down with our field technicians and come up with a few of the most common cases that they have seem in Winchester. Read on to learn what they are.

The cause of water damage we have found to be most common in Winchester is usually a broken, busted, or leaking pipe. It is probably the most common one because most of the time it is not easy to see that a pipe is leaking or malfunctioning because it's out of site.

But what causes pipes to break? Several things can happen. First, the pipe can rust over time. Second the pipe can freeze over. On this note, the fact is that any drastic change in temperature, hot or cold, can cause stress on the pipe, and lead to damage of the structure.

Now, how do we prevent the pipes from rusting or breaking due to temperature change? For the rusting pipes, these things will rust over time, it's just a matter of how much time. Therefore we recommend having all your pipes inspected for rust once a year. If you find rusting on any of them have them replaced. These quick few dollars spent can save thousands in the future.

With regard to the pipes freezing over, the easiest way to prevent it is to simply allow the water to trickle out of the tap, even if it’s at a drip. This allows the water to continue to move, and discourage freezing in the pipes.

Now, another cause of water damage is children. Yes, children. Perhaps if you have children you know what we mean: action figures dropped in the toilet, kids overflowing the bathtub, anything like that. Simply being aware of what your child brings into the bathroom with them, and keeping an eye on their baths should help you avoid water damage in these cases.

Another very elusive cause of water damage is humidity. All of us in Winchester, Virginia know the humidity that we get in the Summer and Fall months. This environment allows moisture to drip through the foundation or roof. If left unattended it can lead to damage to the walls ceilings, and floors of these spaces.

You might have a hard time spotting this one because it happens over such a long period of time, but simply using a dehumidifier once in a while in these areas should prevent any significant water damage to them.

There are many other causes of water damage, but these are just some of the most common. As always, if you have a case of water damage in the Winchester, VA area you can contact us at SERVPRO of Winchester for the fastest service in town!