Different Ways Water Can Penetrate Your Home You Didn’t Know About
Water damage is a common problem that can happen to anyone. It is not always caused by natural disasters, but rather the everyday things we do and don’t do around our homes. The problem with water damage is it has many different causes and types of damages, so you need to know what you’re up against before setting out on your fix-it journey. This piece will talk about the different ways water can penetrate your home that you didn’t know about.
1. Through the Roof
In the South-East of England, rain and storms are annual and regular events. In fact, the weather in this part of the world is known for being unpredictable. If you have a home that doesn’t have any waterproofing or roof insulation systems installed, then maybe it’s time to invest in them now before your house gets flooded?
The rain can find its way through your roof if there isn’t an effective seal around the chimney pot or letterbox. These are two areas where water often comes into contact with your ceiling – causing damage at a later date. There may be small cracks between bricks on older homes that also allow water to seep inside, so make sure these issues aren’t ignored as they will cause more problems down the line!
2. Watch out the Walls
Depending on the type of siding you have on your home, water may be able to penetrate the exterior walls. The two most common types of siding are stucco and wood clapboard.
Dealing with water penetrating your walls can be very difficult, especially if it’s hidden behind the siding. As mentioned at https://advanceddamp.co.uk, if you notice the paint on the walls bubbling, discoloring, or peeling, it may be an indication of damage caused by water. It will help if you involve a professional immediately to help you inspect and fix the issue. This is not an indicator of how much water has penetrated your home, but it can help you catch a problem before further damage occurs.
3. Through a Window or Door Sill
Your window or door sills are vulnerable, especially if you have vinyl sill covers. The water can get behind the cover and cause damage to your subflooring or floor covering materials.
The same goes for this area of your home because it is also very susceptible to absorbing moisture without drying back out again, which could lead to mold growth under the windowsill itself.
The best way to deal with water coming through the window or door sills is to use a silicone caulk and follow the contours of the window or door frame.
4. Through Your Foundation Cracks
This may come as no surprise that water penetrating your home through cracks found along the foundation of your home are a commonplace, especially if you live near bodies of water such as lakes, oceans, or rivers. Sometimes due to varying soil conditions around homes which shrink during dry seasons then expand when exposed to rainfall or snowmelt, causing movement against foundations all contribute towards allowing dirt and debris between gaps between concrete blocks resulting in becoming more prevalent over time unless addressed.
5. Leaking Pipes
Although you might not realize it, leaking pipes can cause water damage to your home. Toilet leaks are common, and they account for around 30% of all household indoor water use (EPA WaterSense). If you notice a leak in the bathroom or kitchen, be sure to check under sinks and behind baseboards and cabinets where plumbing is likely hidden from view.
Suppose you do find that there’s an issue with one of your pipes outside. In that case, call a plumber immediately. Just because it hasn’t rained recently doesn’t mean that there isn’t any groundwater seeping into cracks and spaces between concrete and wood siding on your foundation, which eventually makes its way inside through openings like doors, windows, etc.
6. Faulty Gutters
Your home’s gutter system is one of the most important parts when it comes to protecting your home from water damage. If they are not cleaned regularly, leaves and twigs can start piling up in them, which will cause a clog. When that happens, all the excess rainwater will have nowhere else to go but into your foundation or enter your basement through its walls or flooring system if you happen to be on a slab (which is very common).
Water penetrating your home can cause a ton of serious damage. Therefore, it’s important to do everything you can to minimize this. By reading through this blog post, you should be aware of the many ways water can enter your home without your knowledge. You shouldn’t hesitate to contact a professional if you suspect any of the above methods have affected your property.