Places Where Water Damage Can Go Unseen

In the best-case scenario with water damage, you’re able to spot the damage right away so that you can immediately work on solving the problem. Unfortunately, homeowners aren’t always so lucky. Water damage can occur in places where most of us would completely neglect to check without a reminder, and when that happens, the restoration and repairs can be costly.

Here are some of the places where water damage can hide in your home.

Underneath a Window Air Conditioning Unit

A leaky window air conditioner can cause big problems for the window sill and wall located beneath it. When the air conditioner is working properly, the condensation that it makes while cooling air drains out through a tube the redirects the water outside the house. If this tube becomes clogged or dislodged, the condensation will drain directly down onto whatever is underneath it.

Behind Your Shower/Bathtub Surround

If your shower or bathtub surround is comprised of multiple pieces, it’s important to inspect the caulk between the surround walls and your tub to make sure it’s in good shape. Old, worn caulk allows water to get in the cracks and collect behind your wall, where it can damage the frame of your house.

Behind or Underneath Your Washing Machine

While you may wonder if your washing machine itself is prone to leaking, leaks are much more likely to occur where your washing machine hooks up to the hot and cold water supply lines in your wall. The trouble is that when leaks occur in this location, it’s hard to spot them because your washing machine usually blocks them from view. In the meantime, water starts to collect behind and underneath your appliance, damaging your wall and your floor.

Underneath Your Dishwasher

Your dishwasher is designed to be watertight. However, as its supply line and drain line age, leaks can form in their joints. This results in leaks beneath your dishwasher that can go unseen for years. During this time, the leaking water can damage your subfloor and lead to terrible mold problems.

If you suspect you have water damage in your home…

• Do NOT touch wet or damaged items with your bare hands.
• Do NOT breathe in damp or odorous air. Allow your home to air out with open windows and fans.
• Contact a certified water damage repair expert.

At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we are experts in water damage repair. Contact us today at 631-940-8100.

Common Causes of Water Damage

Water damage is just what it sounds like, but probably worse. It occurs when too much water begins to pool in areas in the home where it shouldn't. It sounds like a minor problem, but water can easily rack up tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home.

Here are some of the most common causes of water damage, so you know what to be on the lookout for.

Roof Leaks

A leak in your roof could cause water to enter your attic, damaging your ceiling, walls, insulation, and causing mold growth. Roof leaks are especially common during the cold months due to ice dams; rifts of ice that form on the edge of the roof and prevent melting snow from properly draining into the gutters.

Burst Pipes

Busted pipes are one of the most common causes of home water damage due to the variety of ways that they can happen. Pipes freezing in the winter, leaks in supply lines, old worn out pipes, roots growing into sewer lines, and pressure caused by backed up drains can all cause pipes to burst.

Heavy Storms

Sometimes, there is no way to prepare for Mother Nature. Heavy rain storms can cause flooding in your roof or your basement. Many times, an ineffective gutter system is to blame. When your gutters can't handle a high level of rainfall, water can seep into your roof, or pour over your gutters, close to your foundation.

Long-Term Humidity Problems

Water damage doesn't always happen in the blink of an eye, or even overnight. Sometimes it is a long-term process caused by humidity problems. This is common in problem areas such as basements and crawl spaces.

In the event that your home sustains water damage, don't try to fix the problem yourself. GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration will come to your property and restore it to its previous condition, making sure to prevent mold growth and other problems that arise from excess water. We serve all of Long Island, call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.