Water leaking into a home can put a homeowner into instant panic mode.  You can try and be proactive about preventing water damage but we know that you can’t always stop the inevitable so if you can’t prevent the problem, then it’s important to act fast!  The first thing you should do is find the source of the water leak and then find an IICRC Certified Water Removal Company. So what are the most common water damage sources?

1. Leaking or bursting pipes: Clogged pipes can put pressure on pipes causing them to eventually weaken and burst.  Other causes of a pipe leaking or bursting could be tree roots growing through sewer lines, freezing water temperatures, or old or rusty pipes.
2. Malfunctioning appliances:  There are several appliances connected to your plumbing that could eventually cause water damage.  Refrigerator, washer, water heater, dishwasher, etc all have the potential cause leaks so you have to find the failing appliance fast and disconnect it from the water source before the problem gets worse.
3. Plumbing issues:  This is one of the hardest sources of water damage to detect.  Most of your plumbing is in the walls so you might not notice the water leaking right away.  Make sure to turn off your water when you notice water damage and consult with a water removal expert to pinpoint the source.
4. Basements, attics, or crawl spaces: These areas in your home are prone to dampness and are probably spaces that you don’t visit often.  You might get leaks in your attic from a damaged or old roof and links in your basement or crawl space from flooding or damaged pipes. It’s important to check these areas at least once a month for leaks to prevent mold growth.
5. HVACS (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning units): Air conditioners in particular need to be looked at on a regular basis to ensure that moisture buildup is not causing hazardous mold growth in your home.  Check your AC units at least once a month.
6. Weather issues: Living in Idaho and Washington, we know that all sorts of weather can happen that could cause water damage to your home.  If flooding does happen in your area, make sure the sump pump in your basement is working properly. 

One of our more recent jobs was a leaking pipe connected to a washer.  The homeowner did not notice the leak until most of the apartment was flooded with excess water.  As passionate as our family is about removing excess water from homes we hope this blog reminds you to inspect these common sources of water damage. 

If water removal is done poorly or incorrectly, it could lead to future mold growth that could be hazardous to your health which is why we make sure we use the right equipment and process to remove water from your home.  If your home has suffered from water damage in Coeur d’Alene, ID or Spokane, WA areas, call Pacific Dryforce today. We provide water removal services in the following Idaho cities: Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Rathdrum, Priest River, Spirit Lake, Athol, Hayden, Hauser Lake and we also proudly serve the Spokane, Washington area including but not limited to Spokane, Airway Heights, Newport, Mead etc.