Water damage can cause structural damage to your home and vice versa. Knowing which came first can ultimately become a moot point if both are present. However, by knowing what caused the problem in your home, you may be able to prevent problems in the future. Here are some of the types of structural damage and water damage that can affect your home.
Pipe Leaks Under the Foundation
Pipes leaking under the foundation is a very common situation that can cause both water and structural damage to your home. Leaking pipes can cause the ground to become saturated. In turn, this saturated soil can push upwards on the foundation, causing it to buckle and crack. Once this happens, more damage can occur, such as cracks in your floor, walls, and ceiling.
There are several ways to spot an underground leak. Often, the first sign that you may have a plumbing leak under your foundation is unusually high water bills. If you catch an underground leak in time, you can avoid structural damage to your foundation and home. If your water bill is unusually high, have a plumbing company come out to look for underground leaks.
Plumbing Leaks Inside Your Walls
A leaking pipe inside your walls can cause damage to your home’s wooden framing. It can also eventually cause damage to the foundation. The same is true of a leaking pipe under a sink. If you notice damp spots on your interior walls or floor, call a plumber right away. The problem must be fixed as soon as possible, to prevent serious structural damage.
Structural Cracks That Cause Leaks
If your home has structural damage to the roof, foundation, or walls, this can allow water to seep in. This, in turn, can cause even more structural damage. If you notice water inside your home after a heavy rain, it could be seeping in through a roof leak or a wall crack.
Inspect around the exterior of the house, to see if there are any visible cracks. If not, you may have to have a roofing contractor inspect your roof. If your roof is fine, then you may need to have a foundation specialist inspect your home’s foundation.
Flood Damage That Causes Structural Damage
Floodwaters can do serious damage to the structure of your home, such as causing your foundation to buckle and crack. It can also saturate the wooden framing and siding, causing it to grow mold. There is not a lot that you can do to prevent flood damage. The only recourse is to have your home thoroughly inspected for damage and repaired.
When you suspect water damage is part of your structural damage issues, you should talk to a plumber in your area like Du-West Foundation Repair. A professional can inspect your home and help you find and repair the root cause of the problem. This prevents future problems. It can also tell you what kinds of problems your home is prone to so that you can watch out for them.
Water is a force of nature, and constant dripping can cause an amazing amount of damage. Be on the alert, and take quick action if you suspect water damage in your home.
