Five Leading Causes of Triangle Home and Business Water Damage

The upcoming fall and winter temperatures can bring increased potential for water damage in Triangle homes and businesses. It is also one of the busiest times of the year for people in North Carolina. Kids in the Raleigh area can now take advantage of cooler weather and the Holiday Season. In combination with the busy summer and vacations, not much attention is usually paid to certain types of building maintenance.

It is important to note that water damage from to small leaks within structural and plumbing facilities is one of the leading causes of family and business disruption and financial losses. A few simple strategies can help prevent water damage disasters and the mold that often comes afterward in these situations. AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex is the local service specialist in water damage and mold remediation. Our team has managed a variety of water damage conditions over the years.

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex offers these five important tips for preventing water damage and mold:

• Freezing pipes and hoses can burst and start leaking when temperatures are less than 32 degrees: It does not have to get to 10 or 15 degrees to create problems. Any pipes on the outside of a building, or in unheated attics and crawl spaces, need to be insulated to prevent freezing. Garden hoses should be disconnected and drained before freezing happens, or the potential result can be damage to the plumbing inside the building.
• Locate and seal any roof, window, or siding leaks: These types of leaks tend to develop slowly and go undetected for periods of time, especially during dry and cool weather. These leaks usually become apparent with a wind driven rain event, such as a heavy rain or winter storm. An undetected leak can result in mold growth in sources like attics, crawl spaces, and inside walls. The only prevention strategy is monthly inspections to look for evidence of leaks or excessive moisture.
• Water supply hoses to appliances, sinks, and toilets need to be assessed and replaced as needed: These hoses are present nearly with dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, sinks, or commodes. They can slowly develop cracks and start leaking small amounts, or they can suddenly burst and create damage everywhere. A widespread recommendation is to replace appliance supply hoses at least every five years. As for sinks and toilets, regularly inspect the supply lines and shutoff valves.
• Today’s modern appliances do not last like they used to and can fail earlier than anticipated: All appliances that use water, including washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators, have internal plumbing and water valves. Due to manufacturing defects or age, usually at seven to 10 years, this internal plumbing can fail and leak. The best prevention is to replace external supply lines and regularly inspect for water leaks.
• Anywhere there is moisture, mold can grow: Mold and its food sources are present nearly everywhere in the environment, both indoors and outdoors. Moisture is the missing ingredient and with an ample supply, mold can grow and spread. Mold, on many occasions is a derivative of an acute water damage problem. It can start growing within 48 hours of any moisture.

In the unfortunate event a Triangle home or business has water or mold damage, AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex is fully qualified and capable of remediating the situation properly and quickly with the right people, equipment, and training. In addition to years of experience across Apex, Cary, Southwest Wake and beyond, we are IICRC Certified in water damage restoration and mold remediation.

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AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary and Apex is your environmental specialist in Wake and Johnston Counties. Our team of certified professionals is ready to address all your service needs.

Your air quality and restoration specialists in the Triangle!

Call 919 434 7249

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex

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5 Preventive Tips for Eliminating Water Supply Line Damage

Many people in the Triangle have been busy over the past summer with graduations, vacations, road trips, outings to the North Carolina beaches and mountains, and enjoying the hot weather. This can mean time away from the home or business; and water-related mishaps can occur in absence. One of the leading causes of water mishaps is the water supply lines that connect various appliances to the main lines in the building. Washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerator ice makers all use flexible plastic or rubber hoses and those hoses are constantly under water pressure. Problems can result because materials and connectors that wear out or fail. If left undetected, water can leak out for days or even longer, flooding the immediate area and beyond.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex offers these five tips for preventing appliance related water damage:

• Take a look at the hoses behind washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators: Don’t just look at them for leaks or cracking, but make sure the connections are tight too. Look nearby for signs of water or mold, as mold may be a sign of a slow leak. Replace the hose if it looks worn or leaky.

• Replace the supply hoses and lines to appliances based on age: Try to determine the age of various supply hoses and periodically replace them. If the age is unknown, consider replacing them. If the age is known, the general rule of thumb is to replace every five years. If the supply line is replaced, record the date on a piece of masking tape and stick it on the piping.

• Check the water shutoff valves: The shutoff valves are usually located where the flexible hose connects to the main plumbing, often behind the appliance. The dishwasher shutoff is usually under the kitchen sink. These valves don’t last forever, and are prone to problems, especially where hard water is commonplace. A plumber can easily replace these, perhaps even as a preventive measure. It is much less expensive than water damage.

• Ensure hoses and supply lines are not bent or kinked: Improper installation is a big issue. Moving the refrigerator or washer against the wall can cause supply hoses to become twisted, wedged into small spaces, or kinked at sharp angles. That can cause water supply hoses to fail before they are old enough to warrant replacement.

• Appliances can leak from the inside: Any appliance that uses water has internal valves and mechanisms that turn the water on and off and some also have internal rubber and plastic hoses with water under pressure. Ultimately, the best prevention for water-related mishaps during an absence from home or business is to turn off the main water supply.

 

 

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex offers a number or services to help clean up from water damage and the mold that often follows it. We are certified by the IICRC to restore water damage, and are available anytime, any day to respond. AdvantaClean would prefer that water damage be prevented, but if it happens, we know how to take care of the problem correctly and quickly with the right people, equipment, and expertise.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is the number one team of professionals in the Triangle to perform IICRC certified flood damage restoration.  Contact us today in the unfortunate event you experience flood or water damage.

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AdvantaClean of Cary and Apex is your environmental specialist in Wake and Johnston Counties. Our team of certified professionals is ready to address all your service needs. 

Your air quality and restoration specialists 

Call 919 434 7249 

AdvantaClean

Photo: music4life, pixabay.com