Rooms That Are Susceptible To Water Damage

Most homes will have a water damage event in them at some point of ownership. Certain rooms are more likely to experience water-related property damage and are more vulnerable to its effects. Predicting when water damage will strike is tricky. Sometimes it’s a result of purely random occurrences. In other cases, it’s the consequence of an extended period of early warnings that went unresolved. However, the common locations of water damage in your home is easier to anticipate. Rooms most at risk for damaging water intrusion are:

Kitchen

Your kitchen is the heart of your home. Essential for cooking and cleaning, a variety of pipes, water lines, and appliances crisscross the space. With so much plumbing, many leaks and spills can happen.

Large sinks accept and drain large amounts of water. Plumbing leaks and clogs can cause backups and overflows. Refrigerators and ice makers’ water lines can break (or get kinked) and send a steady stream of water on the floor. Dishwashers and ice makers connected to water supply lines can also leak and spill gallons of water.

Plus, cooking creates steam and spills on counters and cabinets. 

Basement

The lowest level of the home is unbearable for two reasons: seepage and appliance failures. Basement seepage may come from external sources like natural groundwater infiltrating through the basement floor or a heavy outdoor downpour penetrating walls. 

Basements often hold water heaters, HVACs, washing machines, and extra refrigerators. The trouble comes when a leak goes unnoticed– sometimes for weeks. 

Bathrooms

At the primary intersection of plumbing supply lines and drain pipes, a lot can go wrong in this room. Leaky pipes and fittings, overflowing toilets, tubs, and showers that aren’t watertight all contribute to the water damage potential. Slow leaks and drips can be more damaging than a sudden flood. 

Many times, it is not the equipment that fails but the users! Make sure that your family uses the shower liner properly and doesn’t leave wet bath mats on the floor.  It’s also a zone of mold- and mildew-triggering high humidity.

Laundry Room

When you were shopping for a home, you were thrilled with laundry rooms on the second floor. When your washer leaks, you will hate it! Water can work its way through the walls and floors to the ceiling below. Working machines may overflow when nobody’s looking, or a washer supply hose may silently crack or break. And if that happens while you’re out of town, it could flood the entire house.  

Set up your laundry room for optimal flood prevention; the placement of your machines makes a big difference. Always place your washer away from the wall, as opposed to flush against it, to allow room for the supply lines in the back. If pressed up against a surface, the water supply lines might kink and cause water to back up and leak out. If you need to stack your machines, make sure to place the washing machine on the bottom. In all cases, ensure your appliances are level.  

Call For Help In Waukesha

According to EPA.gov, it is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. White Knight Carpet Rescue of Madison, Wisconsin, serves residential customers with a one-hour or less response time. Qualified water damage experts will protect your home with intense cleaning, refinishing and emergency flood response. White Knight Carpet Rescue will rescue you 24/7 from water emergencies.