PREVENTING FLOODING AND WATER SEEPAGE
Fires, earthquakes and other acts of nature are worrisome prospects for homeowners.
But the power of H2O can often prove the most threatening and perhaps render the costliest damage to residences. The experts concur that it’s smart to know how to avoid and respond to a flooding or water seepage event.
“Preventing water seepage and flooding is crucial for homeowners to maintain the structural integrity of their properties and ensure a healthy living environment,” says Josh Mitchell, a plumbing technician and owner of Plumbinglab.com. “Unaddressed water issues can lead to expensive damage, including weakened foundations, mold growth and electrical hazards. Moreover, persistent moisture problems can adversely affect your home’s resale value and result in significant health issues for inhabitants due to mildew and mold.”
Common culprits behind flooding and water seepage include poor drainage; clogged gutters and downspouts; heavy rainfall; cracks in the foundation; sump pump failures; plumbing leaks; blocked or damaged sewer lines; and natural disasters such as flash floods or hurricanes.
Chris Moreno, general manager of All Nation Restoration, points out that common household appliances and fixtures like sinks, toilets, showers, dishwashers and washing machines that leak, break or malfunction can also cause severe water damage with the most common reason being the water supply line springing a leak.
Reactive measures you should take when and after you experience water seepage or flooding include:
• Turn off your main water valve immediately if the cause is a major leak or plumbing emergency.
• Seal off the source of any water intrusion. For example, if there’s a leak in the roof, place a temporary tarp across that area of the roof.
• Use pumps, wet vacuums and towels to remove standing water immediately, if possible.
• Remove anything from the wet floor, including area rugs, boxes, clothing, toys and other materials susceptible to mold growth.
• Employ a dehumidifier and fans to ventilate and dry out the area.
• When it’s safe to do so, remove water-damaged materials such as carpeting, drywall and insulation.
• Hire different professionals – such as a water damage restoration expert, mold remediation professional and general contractor – to assess the damage, test the area for mold and repair the damage.
“Look for an honest company specializing in flood damage restoration and/or roofing repair with the necessary expertise and equipment to handle the job,” recommends Moreno. “Check their credentials, read customer reviews and request a detailed estimate for deciding.”
Lastly, “Never hire a company that does both mold testing and mold remediation. It’s a clear conflict of interest,” says Robert Weitz, principal and founder of RTK Environmental Group. “Often, unscrupulous companies will embellish a mold problem or offer testing on the cheap to make money on the remediation to follow.”