Water is every household’s necessity. Not only it is used for drinking, but water is also essential for cleaning, cooking, washing, and everything in between. However, when water comes unexpectedly, it can cause severe damage to our properties. Thus, it is important for us to search right away for places to look for water damage in our homes.

When water enters your home, it can be very destructive. With enough time, water can deteriorate the structure of your home including your walls, ceiling, floors, and other affected areas. Not to mention the immediate effect of water damage; mold growth. For this reason, it is important to address the issue immediately. But before that, one important thing that you have to do is to be vigilant and know the places to look for water damage in your home. 

Most Common Places To Look For Water Damage

1. Underneath the Dishwasher

One of the common places to look for water damage in your home is underneath the dishwasher. Dishwashers often cause water damage because they can develop leaks in the water supply or drain lines, even though they are designed to keep water inside the tub. It’s difficult to see beneath the dishwasher, so small leaks can gradually harm your floor and its underlying structure. To inspect the area, twice a year, remove the kick plate and use a flashlight. If you notice any signs of dampness, turn off the water supply valve and contact a plumber.

2. Around the Tub or Shower 

When it comes to water leaks, they can develop wherever water lines run. That includes the areas near the tub or shower. Pipes that are joined together have the tendency to cause water leaks. Unfortunately, you will not notice the problem unless water begins to accumulate near the fixture or the floor around it becomes spongy. This is another one of the places to look for water damage at home.

3. Toilets

This is one of the places to look for water damage in your home. These appliances can clog most of the time and when they overflow, they cannot only become messy but the water can seep into the seal around the floor and drywall around the toilet. If you see water around the base of the toilet, shut off the water supply valve and check the tank. Contact a plumber if needed and hire sewage cleanup to thoroughly clean the area. 

4. Water Supply and Drain Pipes

Over time, water pipes deteriorate and begin to leak. This makes them one of the most common sources of places to look for water damage. Because most water pipes are often hidden, in the event of a water leak, they are hard to notice until the water penetrated the building materials and has shown signs on walls and floors. Have a licensed plumber inspect them to prevent water damage events. 

5. Air-Conditioner

Next of the places to look for water damage at home is the airconditioner. Provided that there is no moisture on the drywall near your air-conditioning unit, there is nothing to worry about. However, dripping or overflowing water from your unit can result in significant water damage. One of the most common causes of water dripping or overflowing from your air-conditioner is a clogged drain line. So, make sure to inspect the machine’s drain line as well as the refrigerant and condensate pump for any signs of water leaks. 

6. Near Washing Machines

Washing machines are composed of hoses and pipes where water can pass through. These parts of the washing machine when old or worn out can lead to water leaks. These are other places to look for water damage at home. When not attended to immediately, hidden water damage from a washing machine can saturate your drywall, crumble it and allow mold to develop. Regularly inspect your washing machine for any signs of water leaks or water damage. 

7. Around Ice Maker or Refrigerator

Around the ice maker or refrigerator are the other places to look for water damage. Because this appliance normally pours water, water leaks from an ice maker are very common. If you notice any signs of a leak, unplug your ice maker and inspect the area for water damage or mold growth. Furthermore, inspect the drain lines for any signs of damage. If damaged, replace them with a new ones (copper pipes are better). 

8. Beneath the Sink

Another most common places to look for water damage frequently is under kitchen or bathroom sinks, making them important areas to inspect. Leaks from the water and drain lines often go unnoticed until a musty odor becomes noticeable. The high humidity and darkness under the sink create ideal conditions for mold growth. It’s crucial to regularly check for water leaks under sinks and promptly repair any damage to prevent the growth of mold.

9. Water Heater

Your water heater is another water-related appliance that is constantly used on a daily basis. But, this is one of the leading causes of water damage in homes. Often, the cause of water heater failure is due to old age. Regularly check your water heater to see signs of wear and leakage. Contact a qualified plumber when repairs are needed or a water damage restoration to repair the damage on the building materials. 

10. Inside the Air ducts

Finding moisture and mold inside the air ducts is very challenging. Not only they these areas are difficult to reach, but the mold and dust accumulated inside your air duct can easily spread throughout your property. Keep an eye out for condensation to prevent this problem from occurring. 

Professional Water Damage Restoration Services

Knowing that water has caused damage to your home can be very stressful. Not only there are a lot of things that need to be done, but water damage is often costly. 

As a restoration, we highly recommend that you address the damage immediately and leave the job to professionals. Simply because restoration professionals can quickly evaluate the damage, restore your property to its original condition as well as prevent secondary damage.

Superior Restoration Riverside offers quality water damage cleanup and restoration services. With the use of advanced technology and restoration methods, we will ensure that your home is back to its former glory. If mold has already appeared, we will perform mold removal procedures to remove it from its source. Contact us today.