Boston’s Common Causes of Water Damage

11/13/2023 (Permalink)

Protect your home by learning the most common signs of water damage in Boston with this comprehensive guide from SERVPRO of Weymouth, Hingham, and Qui

Water-related disasters can strike your Boston home or business at any time, leaving you with costly property damage. Still, knowing how flooding can happen will help you be more mindful and alert to problems before they cause significant issues for your property. Here, learn some of the most common ways water damage in Boston occurs.

Leaky Plumbing

Plumbing leaks and burst pipes are two of the most common ways properties sustain water damage. Pipes can leak due to corrosion, weak pipe joints, and intense water pressure. Extreme pressure and freezing temperatures contribute to burst pipes. 

Though minor leaks can cause property damage over time, a burst pipe can lead to major flooding. Unfortunately, it can be hard to locate the source of a plumbing leak because pipes can be behind walls, under sinks, and in other less noticeable areas. 

Gutter Clogs

Your gutter system is an essential part of your roofing system because it allows rainwater and snowmelt to flow off the roof and away from your home's foundation. Unfortunately, gutters can quickly clog with leaves, dirt, and other debris. As a result, water from the roof will flow over the gutters and down the building's siding. 

A clogged gutter can create water damage around your roof's edges, your siding, and your foundation. If enough water collects around the outside of your house, the moisture can seep indoors and increase the risk of water damage and mold growth. 

Malfunctioning Appliances

Washing machines, boilers, dishwashers, and refrigerators are major appliances that many Bostonians use daily. However, these appliances are more likely to develop leaks and other damages over time due to wear and tear.

Even a persistent drip from a leaky hose is enough to cause water damage to your home. Unfortunately, you might not notice your appliance is faulty or worn until weeks or months later unless you can see the water puddling around it. Many appliances leak from the back where the damage isn't obvious right away. 

Weather

Boston is no stranger to adverse weather, which can sometimes lead to flooding and water damage in homes and businesses. For example, heavy rains and significant snowmelt could overwhelm drainage systems, causing water to back up inside a building. Intense winds can also damage roofing shingles and allow rainwater to seep inside. 

Air Conditioning Leaks

You might not think about your HVAC system causing water damage, but it could. When air conditioners work correctly, they absorb heat and moisture from indoor air during a heat transfer. The moisture condenses inside the system before going into an overflow pan or drain pan. 

The water inside the drain pan then goes outside of the property by way of the condensate line. However, if the line has a clog, the pan will overflow. Water can leak from the overflow pan if that component suffers damage or if the air conditioner's drainage system malfunctions. 

Roofing Issues 

Water damage in Boston isn't always a major event. Sometimes the damage occurs slowly over time from something as small as a minor roof leak. 

Unless you regularly keep up with your roof's maintenance, you might not be aware of loose shingles or small penetrations that allow moisture to get into the roofing system's underlayment. It only takes an inch of water to create several pounds of weight on roofing, which will eventually cause the structure to weaken and allow water inside your home. 

Loose shingles aren't the only thing to cause roof leaks. Damaged roof membranes, neglected drainage, and faulty perimeter flashing can also be problematic.

Faulty Sump Pumps

If your home has a basement, it should also have a sump pump. A sump pump is a device that draws water from a basin in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace to prevent flooding. Without a functional device, your basement is vulnerable to moisture seepage from groundwater, cracks in the foundation, and other sources.

Ensure your sump pump works correctly by regularly inspecting it for leaks and other damage, like a float switch stuck in the "on" or "off" position. 

Turn to SERVPRO of Weymouth, Hingham and Quincy for Boston Water Damage Restoration

Our team at SERVPRO of Weymouth, Hingham and Quincy understand how overwhelming and stressful water damage in Boston can be. That's why we proudly offer residential and commercial restoration services including water and fire damage restoration, mold removal, and storm cleanup.

With our IICRC accreditation, an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and advanced cleaning equipment, we're confident in our ability to mitigate water damage and restore properties. Call (781) 337-0344 or fill out our contact form to request help from SERVPRO of Weymouth, Hingham and Quincy in Boston.