Most homeowners don’t know how to deal with water damage. Use this guide to take the proper steps to minimize damage and keep your family and home safe.
6 Common Causes of Water Damage
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Roof leaks are one of the most common causes of damage in your home, allowing water to enter through damaged roofing material or storm damage.
Typical water damage restoration costs $3,800 on average, so addressing leaks and flooding quickly helps you avoid higher repair bills and extensive damage.
Water stains on your walls or ceilings, peeling paint, and musty smells signal that water damage needs your immediate attention before it worsens.
Hiring a local water damage restoration professional provides reliable support for returning your home to its original condition after flooding, leaks, or sewage backups.
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Suddenly faced with flooded floors, sagging ceilings, or peeling paint? Water damage can cause all these issues and more—even small amounts of water can lead to big problems. We explore eight common causes of water damage, how to fix them, and how to keep them from happening in the first place.
1. Roof Leaks
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Roof leaks are one of the most common causes of home water damage. Damaged roofing material, improper installation, or storm damage can all allow water to enter your home through the roof, first damaging your attic and then making its way into your ceilings and walls.
Water damage from roof leaks isn’t always immediately visible since it begins in one of the least-visited areas of your home. By the time you see evidence of a roof leak, the water damage can be quite serious.
How to Fix It
After your roof experiences any sort of damage, whether from extreme weather, falling debris, or wear and tear, repair it as soon as possible to prevent water from entering your home.
2. Bathroom Leaks
Bathrooms have extensive plumbing and use a lot of water, so it’s no surprise that bathroom fixtures may be responsible for water damage. Common bathroom leaks include leaky toilets, showers, and sinks, and damage may be visible—on the floor, under cabinets, or in the fixtures—or hidden behind the walls.
How to Fix It
If you notice a bathroom leak, shut off the water to the faulty fixture before the damage gets worse, then call a plumber to assess and repair the problem. Clean up any water and run fans to dry out the bathroom.
3. Leaking Pipes
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Water pipes run throughout your home, and even a small leak can cause serious damage. Pipes can leak from age, wear and tear, freezing and bursting, or deteriorated connections. If the leaking pipe is in a visible area like a basement or garage, you may notice signs of the leak early enough to prevent damage. However, these leaks are often in the walls or above ceilings, so a leak can start causing damage long before you’re aware of it.
How to Fix It
Shut the water off at the main to prevent more water from passing through the leaking pipe. Call a pro to fix a water leak in the wall, ceiling, or basement—replacing damaged pipes isn’t a DIY project unless you have plumbing experience.
4. Appliance Leaks
Dishwashers, refrigerator water dispensers, water heaters, washing machines, and other appliances make our lives easier, but they can also cause water damage when they aren’t working right. Worn-out gaskets, seals, or water supply and drainage hoses can cause appliance leaks.
How to Fix It
First, turn off the water supply to the leaking appliance. Then, check all hoses, seals, and gaskets to identify the source of the leak and replace any faulty parts. If you can’t pinpoint where the leak is coming from, call an appliance repair pro to fix it.
5. Clogged Gutters and Drains
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Your home’s exterior drainage system keeps water off your roof and away from the foundation, but if it’s not working properly, water can seep into your home and damage it. Clogged gutters can lead to roof leaks, damaged siding, and foundation leaks.
How to Fix It
Clean your gutters and downspouts to get the water moving again. Inspect your foundation, roof, and siding to identify where backed-up water has damaged your home, and call the necessary pros to repair the damage before it causes serious structural issues.
6. Sewage Backups
Sewage backups are one of the worst kinds of water damage to deal with—smelly, messy, and a health hazard. Backups can be caused by heavy rain, clogged drain lines, or even encroaching tree roots.
How to Fix It
Sewage backup should always be handled by the pros. Call a plumber who specializes in sewer line problems and a biohazard cleanup company to ensure your home is safe and sanitary.
Signs of Water Damage
Signs of water damage include:
Water stains on walls, ceilings, or flooring
Peeling or bubbling paint
Swollen or spongy drywall
A musty smell
An unidentified dripping sound
Warped, sagging, or swollen floors
When to Call a Pro
Water damage can pose serious health and property risks, so unless you’re certain you know the extent of the damage and the damage itself is minor, call a professional. A local water damage restoration pro can return your home to its original state after flooding or leaking. Water damage restoration costs an average of $3,800 but depends on how widespread the damage is and what materials need to be replaced or repaired. Hire a water damage restoration company that has experience dealing with the type of water damage you’ve experienced.
How to Prevent Water Damage
To prevent water damage and flood damage, take these steps:
Have your roof inspected annually
Regularly check your appliance’s supply and drain hoses and seals
Properly install a sump pump
Install a leak detection system for your plumbing
Insulate exposed pipes
Keep your gutters and downspouts clear
Install backwater valves for your sewer pipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Water and smoke damage repairs reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.8★ avg. • 2 total reviews
- Julio V.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The Waterworks - Brent C.
Carpet repair done well. Scheduling was easy. Showed up on time.
BR Flooring Installation - Mike Z.
As usual with ECO, tech Jordan was outstanding, very professional, very knowledgeable, and very thorough with repairs made to tankless water heaters. Very highly recommend ECO!!!
Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians - Austin Y.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLC - Micki B.
Everything from initial contact to completion was absolutely top notch. We contacted the business during off hours to leave a message, and the owner still reached out to feel out the issue within minutes. We were scheduled and repaired within 48 hours. I cannot say enough about the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Donald L.
Ace Fireplace Services came to the rescue for my chimney repair. They were quick to pinpoint the issue and worked their magic to fix it. My chimney is now in excellent shape, and I'm a satisfied customer.
Ace Fireplace Services - Lisa S.
On Sunday 2/26 I requested quotes via Angi from 4 refrigerator repair businesses. Northwest Appliance responded to me Monday morning (2/27) and my refrigerator was repaired by noon the same day. Great communication, they did everything they said they would. The technician had the parts on...
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When we had the winter freeze, I called Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services and within 1 hour I received an e-mail and he sent someone out the next day and he was on time, he was nice and did the job quickly and cleaned up after himself. We had a leak in our kitchen from...
Quantum Waterworks Waterline & Drain Cleaning Services, LLC - Heather M.
On time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
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