Three Causes Of Water Damage That Don't Get A Lot Of Publicity
If you are a homeowner who is trying to keep your home in good shape, ensuring drainage around the home is adequate, the roof is in good shape, and that all pipes and hoses in the home are intact and working properly, you still need to be on the lookout for water damage. In addition to damage occurring unexpectedly -- sometimes even well-maintained pipes can leak, for example -- there are other causes of water damage that aren't so obvious. Here are three types that you should be on the lookout for.
Temperature-Based Condensation
When it gets cold outside and your home is nice and warm inside, condensation can form on your windows and windowsills. Even though the water might not seem like a flood, and in fact you might barely notice it, the condensation can be consistent enough to really soak the windowsill and the wall around it. That can lead to mildew and rot -- forms of water damage.
It's hard to prevent condensation totally, but you can reduce the amount of time it's there by ensuring your windows have good air flow. Open the curtains or blinds regularly, and don't keep the window totally blocked by a large piece of furniture or heavy drapes that never move.
Air Conditioners
In a similar vein are air conditioners, only this time the condensation does form a running supply of water. Air conditioners, like wall units, can drip water as they run. This water is from the condensation that forms as the unit cools the air in the room. However, the dripping water can run down walls or even run inside the wall, depending on how the air conditioner was installed. Ensure that if your air conditioner is dripping condensation that the water drips outside and away from your home's walls.
Bad Paint Jobs
You wouldn't think a bad paint job could result in water damage, but it can. If your home's exterior paint is peeling, chipped, or in otherwise bad condition, it can let water from rain, sprinklers, power washers, and so on get into the material under the paint. You end up with mold and rotting material on the outside of your house, and many times the damage has spread to the inside of the house by the time you notice it. Ensure the paint and siding on your home are in good shape, and periodically walk around your home to see if you can spot any signs that all is not well with the exterior.
If you do find signs of water damage, contact a water damage repair company for further help. The technicians will let you know what they can do and what you'll have to have done by other contractors.