When you’ve handled water damage repair in Vancouver as long as we have (almost a century!) you see every kind of damage that water can possibly do.  You’ll also quickly realize that water-related problems usually come from the same handful of sources.  There are many ways water might enter a home, but a few ways are far more common than any others.

This is good to know because that means homeowners can watch out for potential problems – and in the process, prevent extremely expensive cleanup bills!

The Four Most Common Ways Water Damage Can Occur

• Broken water lines

Water lines within a home are difficult to break, but if they are broken, they can create a water emergency within a matter of minutes.  Larger pipes carry huge amounts of water, which can quickly flood a basement or ground floor.

You can’t see the pipes in your walls, but keep a close eye on any exposed pipes, such as in your basement.  They’re most vulnerable to damage.  In particular, if you see rust, hire a plumber to replace that pipe ASAP!

• Leaky appliances

Washing machines (clothes or dishes) hold and move a lot of water, which makes them another prime source for water damage.  A major break can cause almost as much flooding as a water line.  However, minor leaks are more common – and they tend to go undetected since they’ll usually occur in the back of the appliance.

Periodically look behind and under your washers, to make sure everything is nice and dry.

• Overflowing fixtures

You might be surprised just how often we get called in because someone accidentally left their bathtub or sink faucet running and came home hours later to discover water everywhere.  Even minor overflows can soak into the flooring and carpets, causing significant damage or even mold growth.

Always remember to shut off water sources whenever you leave the room!

• Busted sewage lines

By far the worst water emergency involves sewage.  If a sewage line breaks, there’s nothing you can do to fix the problem – in fact, you’ll be risking your health if you try.  All you can do is look for an emergency water damage repair service in Vancouver to take care of it.

If you’ve suffered a water damage emergency, don’t panic – please contact Malkin Cleaners – Vancouver’s preferred water damage restoration specialists.