Many plumbing repairs result in water damage, which can wreak havoc on northern Utah properties!
The phrase water damage might be one of the most fear-evoking things for homeowners to ever hear, and this is because everyone knows that repairing water damage is incredibly expensive.
Here in northern Utah, there are countless plumbing repairs that lead to extensive water damages within living areas, walls, attics and even household foundations. We mention water damages within many of our blogs, but this article is solely dedicated toward diving deeper into the more intricate details of water damage.
Below we’ll be detailing what causes water damages in homes, red flag warning signs of these causes, insurance coverage and prevention tips!
What Causes Water Damage in Northern Utah Homes?
The number one reason why homeowners in northern Utah experience water damage is through emergency plumbing scenarios.
When you think about it, your residential plumbing system is a vast network of complex equipment, so it’s always possible for something to wear out or fail. Below are some of the most common causes of water damage and red flag warning signs that help you recognize these causes:
Faulty Valves & Broken Water Pipes
Almost all of your plumbing system is located out of view, except for things like your kitchen and bathroom sink pipes. This means that your water supply lines are hidden above ceilings, behind drywalls, and under floors. This unfortunately makes detecting pipe leaks pretty difficult, until they start to impose significant damages.
Most plumbing leaks don’t get noticed until they’ve caused structural damages, which is why you should keep an eye out for the following red flags associated with broken water supply pipes:
- Discoloration & water stains on floors, ceilings and walls
- Sudden low water pressure
- Hissing or running water sounds in ceilings and behind walls
Water Heater Tank Failures
While faulty valves and broken water pipes can slowly but surely impose water damage over a long period of time, water heater tank failures will impose damages in one fell swoop. Your home’s water heater tank contains dozens if not 100+ gallons of water within it, so when a significant failure occurs, catastrophic water damage can quickly wreak havoc throughout a household.
Even when your water heater is located on your home’s ground level, it can expel an enormous amount of water during failures. This leads to a huge mess, and floors, walls, carpets, furniture, support beams, and so much more can be lost within just a matter of minutes.
The good news is that Beehive Plumbing employs some of the best water heater repair experts in all of northern Utah, and the following warning signs are what you should keep in mind when you think that there might be something wrong with your water heater tank:
- Your water heater is getting older
- You can see visible rust or leaks on the outside of the tank
- Strange noises coming from the water heater
Broken Sewer Lines or Drain Pipes
Although sewer and drain lines might not be as daunting as water heater tank failures, they’re still a major source of potential water damages at any property. The main purpose of a sewer or drain line is to get rid of a property’s wastewater and deposit it into a septic tank or municipal sewer line.
Although sewer line cracks and leaks are generally less likely to cause interior home damage, they can still make a gigantic mess in your yard. Some of the most common red flags associated with sewer or drain line damages include:
- Sagging floors around toilets or sinks
- Strange odors emanating throughout your property
- Bug and critter infestations
Does Insurance Cover Water Damages Caused By Plumbing Systems?
The specific terms of your insurance policy’s coverage will ultimately determine whether or not water damages caused by a plumbing system malfunction are covered. In general, homeowner’s insurance does cover water damage when accidental or sudden plumbing issues cause the dilemma. This includes scenarios like overflowing washing machines and burst pipes.
However, it’s absolutely critical that you carefully review your policy to thoroughly understand any limitations or exclusions that may apply to your coverage. For example, some policies might not cover you when your water damage was caused by gradual plumbing system wear and tear. This can include issues like faulty water heaters and pipe leaks.
What Can Homeowners Do To Prevent Water Damage?
The best thing that homeowners can do to prevent potential water damages is invest in regular plumbing maintenance appointments. Professional maintenance will go a very long way to ensure that your fixtures, appliances, pipes, etc., are all functioning optimally.
Our advice is to invest in plumbing inspections at least on a yearly basis because this can help you to catch any lingering issues way before they become major repair projects.
You should also make sure that every member of your household knows where your main water shutoff valve is located, and knows how to turn it off during emergency situations.
You should also inspect your hoses and pipes on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear, such as corrosion and cracks. If you notice any red flags, it means that it’s time to replace certain plumbing components as soon as possible.
It’s also important to be very careful about what goes down your property’s drains. This means never pouring oils, grease, or other clogging materials down your drains!
Don’t Waste Time When You’re Experiencing Water Damages. Call Us For Help!
Beehive Plumbing has been detecting hidden water leaks and repairing them for property owners throughout northern Utah since 1999 through the support of our licensed and esteemed Master Plumbers—who consistently earn five-star reviews and ratings.
If you’re experiencing any kind of water damage in or around your property, it’s important to understand how time is of the essence. Reach out to us online or call us at 801-849-3854 to get one of our specialists over to your home or business as quickly as possible!
