How to Identify and Address Interior Water Damage in Your Home

water damage restoration drying equipment

Think of your home or business as a body. Now, think of water damage as a disease. Water damage, like a bad case of the flu, should be treated as soon as possible. If you don’t act fast, serious structural damage and mold growth can cost you thousands of dollars and make indoor air hazardous to your health.

What is Water Damage?

Water damage occurs when excess water flows into a place it shouldn’t be. Plumbing leaks and floods are examples of water damage. Water damage harms your property’s structural materials and can create a hotbed for mold and mildew growth.

Leaks, floods, and other types of water damage usually need to be addressed by a water damage restoration company.

Common Causes of Interior Water Damage

You probably have more water systems in your home than you realize. This abundance of pipes, combined with a world of other factors, leaves just about any property susceptible to water damage if proper care is not taken. When water damage catches you by surprise, a water damage service can promptly arrive to make repairs.

Common causes of interior water damage include:

Leaking or Burst Pipes

High water pressure, freezing temperatures, general wear, and corrosion can all cause a pipe to burst or leak. Burst pipes often make a loud “clang” sound, while leaks may remain more hidden, only revealing themselves with time.

Faulty Household Appliances

A broken dishwasher or washing machine may leak and cause water damage to floors and walls.

Plumbing Issues

Clogs, backups, and other plumbing issues can cause extended water damage right under your nose. You can avoid this damage by properly caring for sinks, sewer lines, and other plumbing fixtures.

Severe Weather Events

Sometimes, Mother Earth gives you her worst. After a severe storm, hurricane, or natural disaster, a trusted water damage company will be able to help, providing interior water damage repair when you need it most.

Roof Damage and Leaks

Old, storm-damaged roofs are especially prone to leaks. Weak flashing, shingles, and gutters may allow excess water into your home, causing ceiling water spots.

Foundation Damage or Cracks

Concrete is a porous material, so if your foundation is damaged or cracked, it can absorb excess moisture and accelerate mold growth indoors. Always inspect your foundation before the wet season so that you can avoid a humid basement and water damage.

Overflowing Toilets and Bathtubs

Clogs and blockages can surprise you in the worst ways imaginable. An overflowing toilet or bathtub may damage your tile and encourage mold growth in your bathroom.

HVAC Issues

Air conditioners and furnaces are unexpected sources of water damage for most homeowners. Both of these HVAC systems can leak on your floors after building up condensation for too long. If repairs are not made, your indoor humidity can skyrocket, which promotes mold and mildew growth.

Human Errors

Sometimes, water damage is our fault. If you cause any big spills, be sure to dry the area as thoroughly as you can. Water damage that sits undisturbed for more than 24 hours can lead to mold growth. A water damage restoration company can handle water damage you can’t fix yourself.

Long-Term Effects of Interior Water Damage

Water damage can lead to a variety of issues in your home, including but not limited to mold, structural decay, and pest infestations. Let’s take a look at a comprehensive list so you know what you’re up against.

Mold on a wall above the laminate flooring, black and green fungus on white wall

Mold Growth

Wherever water damage goes, mold likes to follow. Mold’s unpleasant odors and gradual structural decay are unwelcome in any home or business.

Structural Drying after Water Damage Restoration

Structural Damage

Excess water is often absorbed by a building’s structural materials, such as wood and drywall. If these materials retain water for too long, they can buckle and collapse.

water damaged electrical outlet

Electrical Issues

One of water damage’s most harmful effects is accidental electrocution. When water seeps into outlets and panelboards, your safety is compromised, and your electricity will likely go out.

Too hot. Exhausted female suffer from high humidity in modern apartment use hand fan feel lack of air conditioning. Unhappy young mixed race female

Health Risks

Water damage may lead to high humidity and extensive mold growth. Both of these can cause lasting headaches and harm your respiratory health.

property value concept

Decreased Property Value

If water damage destroys your building’s structure, your property value will take a massive hit. Smaller instances of water damage can also lower property value—examples include ruined tile, peeling wallpaper, and humid basements.

Water damage restoration service pipes in a leaking home environment connected to industrial air movers and dehumidifiers, remove the water and moist from the wet floor. Household insurance

Higher Risk of Future Water Damage

One instance of water damage can lead to another, especially if the initial damage is not addressed by a water damage restoration company. Affected areas must be properly dried and remediated to prevent future issues.

Reduced Indoor Air Quality

Mold growth and increased moisture can turn your favorite rooms sour in a matter of days. Mold’s musty, damp smell will make you crinkle your nose and cough, signaling a polluted indoor environment.

An exterminator in work clothes sprays pesticides with a spray gun.

Pest Infestations

Insects and mice love damp areas. They love these areas so much that they turn them into breeding grounds. By removing standing water as soon as possible, you’ll avoid the many, many horrors of a pest infestation.

hand with water damaged ceiling

Discoloration and Staining

Your walls, ceilings, and floors will be the first to reveal hidden water damage. Burst pipes and plumbing leaks will show themselves by leaving discolored water spots.

Water meter and dollars money banknotes . Concept of water consumption, cost of utilities and payment.

Inefficient Energy Usage

Leaks, bursts, and clogs can make your water bill skyrocket. If you notice unusually high water bills for a few months, you may want a professional plumber to inspect your home or business for leaks.

The Importance of a Quick Response to Water Damage

Every minute counts when addressing water damage. A quick response can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs, so you’ll want to hire a trustworthy water damage service for your interior water damage repair. 

A quick response is important, but a thorough response is equally needed. If affected areas are not properly dried, renovated, and reinforced, water damage can reoccur.

Why Professional Water Damage Restoration Is Essential

Most water damage cannot be repaired in a DIY manner. Side effects like mold growth can only be combatted using specialized equipment like high-grade dehumidifiers and air scrubbers. Water damage restoration can also be dangerous without the proper equipment. Risks include structural collapse, electrocution, fires, and more.

Puredry Restoration Van

Trust PureDry With Interior Water Damage Restoration

PureDry is the Seattle area’s trusted water damage restoration company. We handle everything from water removal to full water damage repair, arriving when you need us most with response times of 60 minutes or less.

We take a scientifically informed, highly safe approach to restoring your home or business. Your property is our responsibility, and we refuse to let you down. Whether you’ve suffered a small leak or a massive flood, our expert technicians will know how to help.

  • 24/7 Availability: Give us a call at any time of day. One of our representatives will be happy to assist you.
  • Professional Services: Your property is in good hands. PureDry only hires certified technicians and uses battle-proven restoration methods.
  • Areas Covered: PureDry proudly serves the Seattle metro area, including Snohomish, Monroe, and Cottage Lake.
  • Thorough Restoration: Water damage is incredibly stressful, so let us do the heavy lifting. With PureDry’s water damage restoration experts on your side, you can be confident that your home or business will be back to normal in no time. Our residential and commercial water removal services are built around your peace of mind, so give us a call today. We’d love to help you bounce back.

Have an Emergency? Call Now!

PureDry works with the following insurance companies.

puredry van

Take the Next Step