Blog Post

Water Damage Restoration Services: What You Need to Know About Leaks

Ryker Bingham |  Sep 10, 2018

Leaky Fauset

“Water is the best of all things.” ~ Greek Poet Pindar

Until it’s not.

Each year, one in 50 insured homeowners claim water-related property damage costing, on average, between $5,000 and $6,000 per claim. Claims can be due to typical pipe and appliance leaks, flooding, and weather events.

Common Types of Water-Related Damage

Depending on the weather conditions and where appliances are located in your home, you might be prone to certain types of damage. Homeowners in Idaho might experience slab leaks, frozen pipes, water heater failure, environmental flooding, and other types of water events.

Slab Leaks

Joe Smith noticed his water bill was much higher a few months in a row. He started to worry about a possible leak, but when he checked the usual faucets and pipes, everything looked good. Eventually, when the house was quiet (usually at night), his wife noticed and mentioned a hissing sound in the master bathroom. It seemed the sound was emanating from the shower pipes. John called his plumber who confirmed that there was a leaking pipe, but before the plumber agreed to open the wall to repair the leak, he advised the Smiths to call a leak detection company.

John was hesitant because he was convinced the plumber could make the fix, but leaks are deceiving. Leak detection companies use specialized tools including slab leak detectors, and electromagnetic technologies and tracer gas equipment. These tools pinpoint leaks that can create severe water damage.

In the Smiths’ case, the leak turned out to be across the house under the laundry room floor. After pulling up the water stained wood flooring and drilling into the slab, the contractor found the busted pipe, fixed it, and luckily the owner had extra flooring to replace the damaged area.

Frozen Pipes

The Joneses were not as lucky.

When they arrived home after a holiday, the Joneses walked into a flooded living and kitchen area that turned out to be a busted, frozen pipe. They scrambled to take action and ultimately needed to call a water damage restoration service. Although not all frozen pipes burst, when they do, it is important to shut off your main water source and call a professional.

Leaking Water Heater

Another common appliance that can cause water damage is the water heater. Sally Johnson noticed a water stain on her bedroom ceiling but didn’t dwell on it. Her 10-year-old water heater, which was located in the attic just above her room, had deteriorated and leaked. The water slowly seeped into the attic flooring and down through the walls. It was summer, and once Sally discovered the extent of the water damage, she was also dealing with mold.

A leaking water heater can quickly damage floors, subfloors, and walls or ceiling if heaters are located on higher levels. In extreme cases, catastrophic and total water heater failure can cause significant flooding. Drain valves, temperature, pressure relief valves, and the internal tank can be potential sources of the leak. Many times, the age and deterioration of the water heater lead to the leak.

Water Damage

What You Can Do About Water Damage in Your Home

In all of these cases, the homeowners took specific actions to mitigate the problem.

  • Shut off power in hazardous areas
  • Shut off the main water supply
  • Start to clean up standing water – wet-vacs, mops, buckets, and towels all come in handy
  • Call a water damage restoration specialist to begin repairs and determine next steps
In general, homeowners must first stop the leak and prevent any more water from seeping into the home. As importantly, they must shut off power to avoid electrocution. Once the leaks are controlled, repair, cleanup, and restoration can begin. This is when you should call Standard Restoration.

Pipe Wrenches & Pipes

Prevention Is the Key to Avoiding Water Damage

Taking steps toward preventing damage can either avoid a leak or stop the leak before it causes problems. There are many steps homeowners can take to avoid water damage and the need for water damage restoration services.

Water Alarms

A water alarm is a self-contained electronic device that rings when the sensor comes into contact with water. It should be used near water heaters, dishwashers, sump pumps, washing machines, bathtubs, toilets, dishwashers, and high-efficiency furnace pumps. Although most of these alarms are passive, some modern devices have active systems that can shut off the water supply to prevent extreme flooding.

Regular Pipe and Fitting Inspections

  • Inspect hoses, tighten connections, and pay attention to the sounds in your home. Regularly watch for signs of dripping and corrosion in exposed pipes or supply lines. Check those leading to appliances, especially dishwashers, refrigerator ice makers, and washing machines. When you find minor leaks, make easy fixes like replacing filters, O-rings, or toilet flappers.
  • Sneak up on leaks. Even if you don't see active dripping, there may still be a water breach – wall or cabinet stains, rusty water, warped flooring, and a musty smell are all indicators of plumbing issues.
  • Focus on defective plumbing. Replace corroded pipes promptly.

Water Meter

Check your water meter. Shut off all running water throughout your home. Take a meter reading. Wait a couple of hours and take another reading. An increase in this number indicates a water leak.

Pipes and Freezing Temperatures

  • Keep the temperature in your home consistent
  • Properly insulate your home
  • Use space heaters where needed
  • Open cabinets to allow warm air to reach pipes
  • Allow water to drip from the faucets
  • For at-risk pipes in colder areas like your garage, attic, and basement, add pipe insulation
  • For suspected frozen pipes (no water flow), homeowners may attempt to thaw; however, a safer option is to call the plumber.

Home Insurance

Homeowners’ Insurance and Water Restoration Services

Although many homeowners’ insurance policies cover leaks and water restoration services, it’s not always a given.

In general, standard homeowners or renters policies do not cover flooding. Coverage is available in separate policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private insurers.

At Standard Restoration, we can work with your insurance company to find out what they cover. When you call us, give us the information for your insurance company. Be aware that calling in a claim can flag your account and raise your premium; we can work with you and your insurance company to minimize your out-of-pocket expense when possible.

For more information, contact Standard Restoration today.

Water from broken pipes, appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets can cause extensive damage. As a homeowner, stop the flow and call Standard Restoration immediately. We will inspect the damage, determine what needs to be replaced, and present you with a water mitigation plan. Contact us right away to prevent worsening mold and other complications that might arise from untreated water damage.

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