What Plumbing Problems Cause Water Damage?

Water damage can be a stressful part of being a south Florida homeowner.  Plumbing problems that cause water damage can cause many problems within a home such as weakening the structure and leading to toxins like mold and mildew if not detected quickly. Additionally, repairing water damage can be very costly. The cost of water damage repair, according to Home Advisor,  can range from a few hundred to several thousands of dollars. Fortunately, water damage from plumbing problems are often covered under you homeowners insurance policy when it is handled properly.

It is incredibly important to maintain your home and proactively prevent plumbing problems. Some of the top plumbing problems that cause water d cause water damage in homes are:

Leaking Pipes Cause Water Damage

Perhaps the most common plumbing issues that Firehouse Adjuster Stu sees is caused from leaking pipes. There are a number of causes for this; however, loose fitting pipes are one of the most common. Additionally, while proper plumbing lasts a long time, plumbing that is aged can begin to have loose fittings which can lead to leaks. If you see a sign of a leak, such as dampness or moisture on an exposed pipe, you should contact a plumber to check it out and make any necessary repairs.

Burst Pipes

While leaking pipes are problematic, a burst pipe can be a disaster. Burst pipes tend to occur in cold weather but Florida homeowners can see pipes burst as well. Pipes can burst for many reasons including ongoing water pressure issues, slow drains, clogs, improper installment, structural issues, and corrosion. A burst pipe can cause significant water damage to your home. What to do when a pipe bursts? Switch off your main water supply immediately to prevent further damage and contact a plumber.

Clogged Toilets

You don’t realize how much water a toilet uses until you get a clog. A sufficiently clogged toilet can be stubborn and can quickly overflow, sending water throughout your bathroom. This can be a particularly unpleasant problem to clean up. For this reason, it is best not to try to force clogs down by flushing. Utilize a plunger or auger to get rid of the clog. Don’t have a plunger? Home Depot can help you unclog a toilet without a plunger! For stubborn clogs, it may be best to call a plumber.

Leaking Toilets

While not as common as clogged toilets, sometimes you will experience a leaking toilet. This tends to happen when the seal that connects the toilet with the drainage line below it starts to go bad. A leaking toilet will often leak some water around the base; however, one of the telltale signs of a leaking toilet is a stubborn smell that you cannot get rid of (i.e. the sewage line). This type of leak can damage your floor or subfloor rather quickly. Your local plumber can easily replace a broken toilet seal with a new one for a quick fix.

Bad Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are great for helping us quickly dispose of food scraps; however, they do have a limited lifetime. When a garbage disposal goes bad, one of the frequent causes is a busted seal within the internal parts. When this happens, your disposal often times cannot be repaired, and a new one is needed. Unfortunately, a broken disposal can also cause a leak that can damage your cabinets under the sink. If you have a leaky disposal, don’t use that side of the sink, dry the area beneath, and see if you can fix the disposal yourself, or call a plumber.

What To Do With Plumbing Problems That Cause Water Damage

While there are a wide variety of potential plumbing problems that can lead to water damage, looking out for signs of possible leaks can help you detect and resolve a problem quickly. Responding quickly to issues involving plumbing issues is integral for protecting your home from water damage as water damage can occur rather quickly and incur costly damage to your home. Plumbing problems can be complex but should be covered by your insurance policy and a public adjuster, like Firehouse Adjuster Stu, can ensure your insurance claim is not denied or underpaid.