The Importance Of Fixing Water Leaks Immediately
Is there a small water leak in your home? I bet your first instinct was to put a water bucket under it because you think that it may help you conserve water. After all, you can use the leaked water to flush the toilet or water the plants. You may even think that the water wastage is minimal. However, the best way to deal with water leak is by fixing them immediately.
The Most Common Sources of Water Leaks
Before we get down to the business of fixing a water leak, we must determine the most common places around the house where you can find water leaks. In the event that you notice water leaks around your home, you must find where the source of the leak is.
Ceiling
If you find your floor drenched in water, you may try looking up since your ceiling might be the cause. Your ceiling might have water leaks because of a hole in your roof. In order to determine the source of the leak, you can check the state of the water. When the water seems fresh, the source of the water leak must be due to a hole in the plumbing on your ceiling. If the water is a bit murky, there is a large possibility that the water leak is sourced from your roof.
You can even determine the source of the water leak depending on the weather. If water leaks are consistent despite the change in weather, the source of the leak is probably due to plumbing. On the contrary, if the leaking only happens when there is rain, there must be a hole in your roof. When it is winter, there is a high possibility that the pipes in your home will burst.
Kitchen
Another common place where water leaks occur is in your kitchen. Due to the presence of several faucets and pipes, the kitchen is prone to severe water leaks. You must be wary of the signs of the presence of water leaks such as the cabinets being soaked. When this occurs, you must check the closest plumbing line or pipe to the cabinet. You must be extra careful of water leaks in the kitchen since there are several electrical appliances lingering in this space.
Bathroom
The bathroom is where you wash up, which is why it is no surprise that water leaks can be usually found in this area. You can usually find a leaky faucet or a broken shower head when you are in the bathroom. This may not be noticeable for you since bathrooms are usually soaked wet. You have to be cautious of the signs of flooding in areas that are not usually reached by water. On top of that, you might also notice that your tub is soaked even after hours of taking a bath.
Bedroom
While your bedroom is not home to a bathtub or a faucet, but you will have appliances that can cause water leaks. You may notice water dripping from your AC, which can seem like a small amount but can cause damage to your floor. Moreover, you air humidifier can also be a potential cause for flooding or fire when it is taken for granted.
Why You Should Fix Water Leaks Immediately
The minute that you notice that water is leaking into your home, you must fix them immediately. However, if the damage is beyond your capacity to repair, you must call a water specialist company like Water Damage Miami. Since the damage on the property can be severe, it can cause problems that that is beyond your power to repair. Water damage can lead to safety and hygiene issues, which is why you need to deal with them urgently.
In order to understand the issues that you will face when you are plagued with water leaks, we will discuss the three most pressing concerns.
Aesthetic
First, when there is leaking water in your home, the appearance of your home can also be compromised. The walls will look drenched and that is never a pretty sight. This can also weaken the structural integrity of your home.
On top of that, molds can appear once the surface is exposed to moisture. This can lead to foul smell around the house, which makes it unlivable and unbearable for those residing in the house. It can even have a negative effect on the quality of the air around your home.
If you deal with this issue with the use of water buckets, it can also be aesthetically unpleasant for your home. It can even pose danger since someone can kick the bucket and the water will fall off the ground. Moreover, if the floor is drenched in water, you may find yourself suddenly slipping. The paint or the tiles can also be easily chipped if it is exposed to water for a long period of time.
When there is a flood in your home, it might be difficult to wipe them clean. Dust and dirt will also easily attach to the surface when it is wet. This means that your wall or floor can easily accumulate dirt due to the presence of water leaks. You may try cleaning the surface of your home, but it will be hard to restore the appearance of your home to its original state when it is soaked in water.
Safety
As discussed earlier, a surface that is soaked in water will have a questionable structure since it will become weaker. When the wall is made of wood, but it has been soaked in water, it is easy to rip and chip it. You can even damage your clothes and other belongings when there is water leak in your home.
This can lead to sharp edges that are potentially dangerous for the safety of a person as it can cause wounds and scratches to the skin. The danger is particularly heightened when the floor is soaked in water. This can cause sudden slippage when you are walking.
You would not want to prolong the exposure of the structure to moisture because the water leak can cause more damage than necessary. It can also be unsafe for your home, especially if you have several appliances running. It can cause electric shock, which can be fatal. The dangers posed by having water leaks are heightened by the presence of other elements.
Health
The biggest danger that one can face when there are water leaks is the health issues. Due to the fact that molds will thrive on moist condition, an unfixed water leak can be the cause for mold growth. With the presence of molds, your home will be looming with toxicity, which can be potentially damaging to one’s health.
When there is mold in your home, it is dangerous for those who have allergies, respiratory issues, and asthma. On top of that, it can cause a headache, fatigue, and dizziness, due to the presence of harmful substances.
You may think that you have removed every conceivable sign of the mold on your property, but water leaks will cause the continuous growth of molds. It is difficult to remove molds without the help of professionals. This is why you need to call a professional mold remediation company once the water leak goes out of hand.
What to Do with Water Leaks before Help Arrives
A reliable water restoration company like Water Damage Miami will try their best to reach your home in the quickest possible manner. However, you can do several DIY solutions to the water leaks whenever help has not arrived just yet. While these solutions are not permanent, this can reduce further damages.
When you have pinpointed where the leak is, you can begin by shutting off the water valve that is connected to the pipe to prevent leaking. However, you should also drain the remaining water on the pipe by opening up the faucet. If it is possible, you must seal the hole with a rubber clamp or a water-resistant tape to prevent further water leaks.
You should also dry out the surface that has been exposed to water. It is important that you do not use printed paper when patting the surface dry because this can cause ink transfer. The ink can be attached to the surface permanently, which makes it harder for you to take out the stain. You must also remember to take away food or toiletries that are near the water leak since it is possible that the water can be contaminated.
In conclusion, you may feel like water leak is an issue that is easy to deal with, especially if the damage is minimal. However, placing a bucket of water over broken pipes will not do the trick. Unfixed water leaks will cause several damages to property and safety. If you are unsure about what to do, you must pick up the phone and call a water damage company like Water Damage Miami that can quickly respond to your needs.