Water Damage Cleanup Naperville Homeowners Could Avoid

Taking care of your home is a necessary side effect of just being an adult. As a homeowner (or a renter), knowing the most problematic areas of home maintenance can help you improve your DIY game. Some accidents are unavoidable, but many common causes could be prevented by watching for problems and even being proactive today to avoid damage later.

And the time and money that you invest now will pay off. Water cleanup ranges from a few hundred to several thousand, depending on several factors: water source, the amount, materials affected, and the amount of time before cleaning. Obviously, a leak of clean water from a burst pipe is quicker and easier to fix than black water from sewage backup.

Full-Service Water Damage Clean Up for Naperville

To protect your home, keep an eye on potential problem areas. Here are some places to check for in your home.

Appliance Malfunctions

Home appliances with pipes or other fixtures that feed into a water line have the potential to malfunction: refrigerators, dishwashers, ice makers, washing machines, toilets, HVAC systems. Hot water heaters are especially dangerous to your home. When this appliance fails, it spills up to 50 gallons of rusty water out into your home.

Some simple steps can help protect your home. Installing a drain pan beneath your washing machine catches and contains small to modest leaks due to overflow or hosing failure. Ensure that every appliance that is connected to a water source is equipped with braided metal hoses instead of standard rubber hoses. For more protection, a water leak sensor placed strategically can help you stay on top of potential leaks and prevent costly water damage.

Bathroom Pipes and Plumbing

A lot can go wrong with plumbing fixtures: leaky pipes, worn-out fittings, poor quality installation. Sinks can clog, leak, or overflow. Although you might not feel competent as a plumber, you can regularly check for tell-tale signs of water damage: leaky faucets, wet cabinets, loose tiles, unstable floors. Plus regular high humidity can trigger issues like mold and mildew. GCPRO can clean up, fix the original issue, and remediate any resulting mold.

Roof

Homeowners with asphalt shingle/composition roofs should expect them to last about 20 years. Climate and weather conditions, such as snow, hail, and hurricanes, can cut the lifespan. Nationally, the average cost to repair a roof is about $1,000, replacing one could cost about ten times that.

Your roof can be both the victim and cause of water damage. The most common causes of leaky roofs are:

Missing shingles from extreme wind
Damaged flashing
Ice dams created by snow melting and refreezing building dams on the roof and causing standing water
Roofs with low slopes and inadequate runoff

And a poorly maintained or damaged roof can cause a lot of trouble within the home. Rainwater can find its way into the attic and through to the ceiling. It can stain the drywall and damage the supporting structure.

Natural Causes

Like many local bodies of water, both branches of the DuPage River can flood during intense storms. High water tables and improperly graded ground also contribute to flooding. In areas with high water tables, installing a sump pump and water alarm are sensible water damage preventative measures. The system pumps water from under the foundation and drains it away, preventing damage.