What is the Riskiest Time of the Year for Water Damage?
Hundreds of thousands of online searches are carried out every day by those trying to find out how to mitigate the risk of water damage. However, the answer is rather ‘cut and dried’—each month of the year poses its own risks and letting your guard down is never a good idea. In that regards, the most sensible approach is to understand the potential causes of leaks.
Extreme Weather
Of course, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out when extreme weather conditions are likely; your home is at the greatest risk to damages of all kinds. It doesn’t necessarily have to be raining cats and dogs either, as strong winds and the likes can also lead to structural damage, resulting in water damage. It’s often the smallest of leaks and cracks that end up leading to the worst problems; the leaks and drips are often disregarded, until they blossom into a full-blown crisis. As such, the best advice is to assume that any and all extreme weather can and will cause damage to your home that could lead to water damage; carrying out a decent inspection after every such event is a must.
Summer Sun
Did you realize that the hot sun of the summer months can trigger water damage to your home? It’s easy to let your guard down during the balmy months of the year, but it’s worth remembering that not only can extreme heat weaken the overall structure of your home, but it’s also the number-one cause of flooding further down the line. When your yard and the land around your home become completely parched due to the sun’s rays, it cannot absorb the water that falls in the form of rain. It takes only the quickest of downpours on a parched lawn to lead to serious localized flooding, so never assume that hot weather means no risk of water damage.
Ice and Frost
Just as with the example above, ice and frost can cause various building materials around the house---to expand and contract during the colder months, increasing the risk of flood damage when the rain returns. In the worst possible instances, frozen water can cause pipes to swell and burst, leading to horrific structural damage and potential floods as soon as everything thaws.
Snow Flooding
In areas where snow tends to arrive and depart rather promptly, the risk of flooding is remains high. Snow will, in most areas, melt slowly and wash away as a standard rain-shower would, but where there is a lot of snow and a fast change in temperature, things can take a turn for the worst very quickly.
General Day to Day Condensation
And finally, something that needs to be addressed with much more focus by most homeowners is the damage that can be created by standard, everyday moisture. Condensation and steam seem harmless enough in the home, but in areas where this kind of moisture gathers or finds its way into the walls or ceilings, the ensuing damage can be enormous.
| This article is composed by and offered as a public service by Jimmy K. Jimmy K is the Independent Owner and Operator of Emergency Response Restoration (http://www.emergencyresponserestoration.com/), 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32118 |
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