A water leak emergency can happen for many different reasons. Sometimes water will leak from the water heater or other water pipes, while other times it may be due to a problem with your roof. Regardless of what caused the water leak, you need to act quickly to stop the water before it causes too much damage. Then, contact a water damage restoration company like Living Solutions as soon as possible!
A water leak can happen anytime, but water leaks are more likely to occur during the winter when pipes are cold and water can freeze inside your home’s plumbing. The good news? You can minimize the risk of water damage by using these helpful tips and by calling a water restoration company as soon as possible.
A water leak emergency can cause significant water damage and should not be taken lightly. This article will teach you about water leak emergencies, how they happen, and what you should do if you find one at your home.
If you notice water leaking anywhere in your home, it's essential to take action quickly to prevent water damage. The sooner you address the water leak emergency, the less water damage you’ll face.
Three common causes often lead to a water leak emergency:
If you find water entering your home, there's a good chance it's from one of these sources. Let's take a look at each.
Appliances often use the highest volume of water in a home. So, when one of these appliances breaks or ruptures, you can find yourself in a water leak emergency.
Some of the most common appliances that lead to a water leak emergency are:
Pipes are the water transportation system in your home. They carry water from the source and distribute water throughout all areas of your house. When they burst, the water can infiltrate the spaces behind your walls, leading to drywall damage or, in the worst cases, structural damage.
Water typically gushes out at full pressure when a burst pipe occurs—until you shut off the water source. Look for this type of water leak emergency during the colder months, when freezing water can cause burst pipes.
Roof leaks often lead to water damage because water can drip into the walls of your home, through the ceilings, and onto floors below.
If you see water stains on your ceiling or water coming in from the roof, don't delay calling for help! Water damage professionals can help minimize the damage and save areas of your home that would be damaged otherwise.
Water from a water leak emergency poses two significant risks: electric shock and exposure to dangerous bacteria. Any electricity running on cables or plugs on the ground can create conditions for electric shock. Additionally, the water entering your home could have bacteria, like when sewage backs up from a broken toilet.
Don't walk into or through water without protective gear. Our professionals often wear rubber boots or entire protective suits when dealing with a water leak emergency. If you don't have these, wait for the experts!
If you can locate the source of the water leak emergency, turn off water valves to the necessary water sources in your home. This step will ensure that more water doesn't continue entering your home while you take stock of the situation and decide the best course of action.
If you're not sure where water is coming from, call a professional to help determine sources of water leaks. For example, they can help extract water pooled on the floor and dry out water-affected areas.
Our professionals are trained to handle your water leak emergency, so they'll accurately address the problem at hand.
If water damage is caused by a water leak emergency, your home will have water spots and water stains. Take photos of water spots and water damage, so you have documentation of the extent of the problem before water removal occurs.
Having pictures will prove valuable when you file insurance claims. In addition, having an estimate from a professional water damage company gets your claim processed faster than average.
Please be aware that a water leak emergency can also lead to water-related mold growth. If water damage is left untreated, water will enter the walls and seams of furniture and fixtures, resulting in water-related mold.
Mold causes serious respiratory effects—once you've inhaled mold spores, the symptoms amplify over time.
To minimize mold risks in water leak emergencies, water damage restoration professionals can use fans to dry affected areas faster and remove excess water that could cause water-related mold growth.
A water leak emergency can cause extensive water damage and lead to mold growth. Leaks can be caused by burst pipes, roof leaks, or plumbing issues.
If you find a leak in your home, safety is the primary concern! If there's no risk of bacterial exposure or electric shock, turn off the water and call a water damage professional. When it comes time to file insurance claims for water damages, having photos documenting the extent of the problem will be invaluable.
If you suspect a water leak emergency in your home and you live in the Baton Rouge area, call Living Solutions for help immediately! Our water restoration experts have the knowledge to address any water-related issue that arises during an emergency. In addition, we will work quickly to extract excess water from affected areas, so you don't have additional problems with mold growth.
