According to the most recent insurance industry research, 14,000 people in the United States experience an emergency caused by water damage each day. About 37 percent of those homeowners have suffered losses from water damage, including many in Corpus Christi, Texas. Here are seven ways your home can experience water damage:
Invasive Tree Roots
That beautiful shade tree near your living room window might help keep your home cool during the summer. But unfortunately, it might be causing more harm than good by having invasive roots that snake around your underground pipes. Over time, the pressure from growing roots can break pipes and result in flooding near the base of your house.
Clutter in the Gutter
Do you clean your home’s gutters every spring? Most homeowners don’t, especially if they own multi-story homes that have high gutters. Clutter in the gutters can back water up and lead it to spill over. When that happens, the water can pour through your roof or on your home’s exterior walls. It can then soak into the building materials.
Roof Damage
Speaking of roofs, water can damage yours in a number of ways, including a clogged gutter. Water damage on roofs also often happens during major summer storms in Corpus Christi, when they aren’t able to keep out the heavy rainfall. Inspect your roof annually. If you suspect water damage from a storm, inspect and repair it immediately.
Leaks in Your Plumbing System
A kitchen faucet leaking at the rate of one drop per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year. And about 10 percent of homes in the United States contain leaks that waste at least 90 gallons of water each day. If you do the math, you’ll realize that it pays to repair leaks in your plumbing system as fast as possible. Not only will doing so prevent further water damage inside your home but it’ll also help keep utility costs from skyrocketing.
Busted Water Heater
About 75 percent of water heaters fail before they reach 12 years old. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it’s important to schedule an inspection to ensure it’s in good working order. Otherwise, you risk your water heater suddenly busting and damaging everything in its vicinity, including your property and personal belongings.
Clogged Condensate Drain Pipe
Your air conditioner’s condensate drain line plays a major role in getting rid of water that can otherwise damage your home. When the evaporator coil in your AC system removes humidity from your home’s air and converts it to water, the condensate drain line moves that water outside. When the line becomes clogged, the drain pan will eventually overflow. This can cause ice to form on the AC coils and damage the system. It can also cause pools of water to collect near the indoor air conditioning unit, damaging your floors, carpets, ceiling or furnishings in the process.
Storm Flooding
Of all the most damaging ways water can damage your home in terms of costs, flooding is the most expensive. The average cost of water damage resulting from flooding ranges from $19,000 to $26,000, depending on the severity. Flooding can expose you to black water, which contains contaminants that can cause illness or even death. If you’ve experienced water damage caused by flooding, repair it right away to avoid endangering your health and safety.
Are you dealing with a plumbing emergency that can cause extensive water damage and even impact your health and safety? Contact Bodine-Scott at (361) 883-9900 for immediate assistance. Whether it’s leaking pipes or a busted water heater, our service technicians know how to repair the plumbing problem immediately. We’re here 24 hours a day, seven days a week to make sure you feel comfortable and safe in your home.
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