Water damage is a really big hassle to deal with in Melbourne. The risk of a loaded basement and major leaks increases greatly. The proper coverage is very essential now. It is very important to know how to prevent water damage to your property or home. Water is the worst enemy of property. Even the smallest droplets can infiltrate your home and cause thousands of dollars in preventable damage. It can also lead to various other problems that are health risks also.
What is Water Damage?
There are different kinds of damages to your property by water. It depends on where the water came and for which purpose. Sometimes, the main water lines are broken and lead to the leakage of hundreds of gallons of water. Water damage can be categorized into three categories.
- General Water Damage
- Sewer Backup
- Overland Water
General Water damage is due to sudden or accidental water leakage from the water sources. Sometimes, the water pipelines might have some leakage or bathtub overflowing.
Sewer backup occurs when sewage drains come back into the house. Basements are affected by sewage water. It occurs due to the clog in the sewer line, and outdated sewer systems. Sometimes excess rain might lead to sewer backups.
Overland water is the freshwater That comes from the windows and doors at the ground level. It may occur due to excessive rainfall flooding of rivers melting of snow or ice in the mountains. It is the freshwater that just covers excessive land.
There are a lot of problems associated with water damage, flood power lift, rotting of wood, rusting of steel, delamination of plywoods, and much more. Water damage can be prevented by regular maintenance and proper precautions.
What do I do?
The following are some important things that you can do to repair water damage:
Make an Assessment:
The first thing to be considered is the extent and complexity of the type of water damage. The initial inspection is required and the identification of places that need attention. The major sign is mould production and other moisture-related issues. The size of the area affected by the mould needs special attention. Sometimes mould grows in hidden places; such places are very difficult to inspect.
Another factor that needs to be considered is the type of water that causes damage to the property. Floodwater can cause serious structural damages. Leaking water that dripped from a damaged pipe can cause discoloration of the damaged area. All these kinds of water damages need special attention and cover the damages. Fixation of this problem is the need of the hour.
Keeping area Dry:
The most important before fixation of the affected area is to dry out all the water first. In the presence of moisture, it is very difficult to fix the water damage. The affected area is dried out properly. It stops the spreading of the mould and makes it easier to fix the water damage.
A dry towel can be used to dry the moisture. A stand fan or a hairdryer can be used to finally get rid of all the water. Even before drying off, there is a need to stop the leakage of water. Leakage can be simply sealed off by using epoxy.
The good thing to remove the humidity is the use of a dehumidifier in the rooms. A dehumidifier removes the humidity in the internal environment and inhibits the growth of mould. It is much helpful in the fixation of water damage to the property.
Using Disinfectant:
Not only mould resides in the water damaged areas, many germs and bacteria also reside in these areas. These germs and bacteria can cause serious health issues. To fix this problem; commercial disinfectants can be used. Disinfectants can be applied by spraying or wiping.
There are a lot of chemicals that can be used as a disinfectant are vinegar, bleach, lemon, and hydrogen peroxide. A natural solution of vinegar and water can be used to keep the area spore-free. These chemicals kill bacteria and harmful germs and prevent health hazards.
Getting Rid of Damp Materials:
Damp conditions are the most critical problem caused by water damage. After disinfection, you must get rid of materials that are the cause of damp conditions. The materials which are affected by the water are needed to replace with the new ones. Dry wood and foamy materials tend to curl when these materials encounter water. Depending upon the extent of damage, you must decide how many portions of damaged materials need to be replaced. It helps to prevent further mould growth.
Soggy and sagging wood should be replaced. There needs a lot of renovations especially when it’s a portion of the ceiling. Wooden floors when damaged with water become discolored. The floor needs a lot of up-gradation. Try to use such materials that are less damaged by the water like ceramic tiles or vinyl or laminating floors.
Provide Adequate Protection:
There needs adequate protection after the renovation. After the replacement of water-damaged materials, extra protection can be provided by using caulk or sealant.
Spray paints should be done to conceal the replaced portions. It helps in the increase in the life of renovated materials.
Fix Broken Pipes and Leaks in the Ceiling:
It is a well-known saying that Prevention is better than cure. So, it’s always a very good idea to solve the problem at a time and try to ensure the basic cause of that problem to prevent any future damage. Broken pipes and leaks in the ceilings cause water damage to the property. These leaky pipes lead to serious damages. Regular maintenance is the need to prevent property damage. Water damage is just needed to act fast before it’s too late. If there is any broken pipeline or leakage; fix it immediately.
How to reduce the chance of Water Damage?
Water Damage is one of the leading problems in Melbourne. Even the leakage of small droplets can cause damage to thousands of dollars. Mould grows very fast in these damped conditions and can also cause serious health hazards. Here are some areas that need to inspect to help prevent water damage.
Washing Machine:
Washing Machines are one of the major factors of water leakage. The water hoses should be replaced every five years. The breakdown in these water pipes leads to serious flooding. This damages the house infrastructure and creates damping conditions.
Air Conditioners:
Leakage in the air conditioners is very common. The overflow of the drip pan is the leading cause of water damage. This pan removes the excess water from the air conditioner. These open in the drainpipe and take water out of the building. Sometimes, the leakage in the drainage of air conditioner pipes leads to water damage.
Pipes and Plumbing:
The health of pipes and plumbing systems of infrastructure is important to maintain. Special care is required during the winter season in Melbourne. There is a cold climate outside and inspection of supply lines is very necessary. There are many slow leaks in the pipelines that need maintenance. It prevents further water damage.
Roof and Ceiling:
Routine maintenance of roof and ceiling prevents the damage. Access to the roof might be difficult but it’s necessary to have a proper inspection every year. There may be some slow leaks that can lead to serious property damage. The moisture also damages infrastructure.
Sinks and Drains:
There is a need to check all the sinks of property at least after two months. This routine inspection prevents water damage or lessens the severity of a loss. Sinks in the kitchens are a major source of water damage. Overflowing of these can lead to serious problems in the infrastructure of the property. Sometimes, the drain line has a leakage and it also creates moisture in the side cabinet. This can lead to the growth of moisture and germs in the kitchen.
Important Considerations:
Water damage can cause serious problems in the infrastructure of the property. Regular maintenance is required with a routine inspection. Water damage seems not adverse but these leakages act as a slow poison for the infrastructure of the property. Homeowners must know about all emergency shut off valves. In case of any leakage, the water supply should be shut off quickly. There are a lot of places in the property that need proper maintenance and inspection to prevent water damage. A routine checkup might help to prevent a major loss. Click here to know more about flood water remediation.