Water damage or leaks of any kind are often costly. However, sometimes the source of the leak is easy to spot and it's easy to know who to call for repairs. Other times, it’s not so obvious. If you find water in your home, the first step is to do everything you can to dry it up or take steps to prevent it from causing further damage. Next, you’ll want to determine the reason for the leak. That can be tricky.
Rule Out the Obvious
Water in the bathroom is often a leak from a hose or pipe. If that’s the issue, turn off the valves on the toilet and sink and see if that stops the leak. Most bathroom leaks require a plumber. Many kitchen leaks also require a plumber unless the water is leaking from the dishwasher or refrigerator. In these cases, you’ll need a repair person who is knowledgeable about appliances.
Another easy-to-diagnose issue is a roof leak. When water is coming into your attic and then leaking into your home, it is good to seek assistance from a roofer. If it’s safe to go outside, look at your roof in the general area where the water is coming in to see if there are missing shingles or another reason for the leak. Make note of any damaged areas, take photos if possible, and call your roofer.
Under Floors, Around Windows, and Under Molding
Warped floorboards or water coming in around the windows or underneath your molding is trickier to diagnose. Water follows the path of least resistance. This means that even if the leak presents around your window, the issue may not actually be a window leak. Sometimes you can clearly see cracked caulk or damage to the window frame, but if not, you may actually have an issue with roofing or siding.
If your floors are damp, warping, buckling, or even coming unglued, there are several possible causes for these issues. Figuring out where the water came from that can cause these problems isn’t always easy. If the flooring is installed on the slab, it may not have been properly installed. Flooring on slabs, especially in Tampa Bay, should have a water barrier between them and the flooring material. There could also be a crack in your foundation that has damaged your water barrier which could be allowing ground moisture to collect under your flooring. Other reasons could be water coming in through your siding or even a roof leak that’s come down through the walls and is leaking out under molding, resulting in wet floors and water damage.
Call a Professional
Once you come to a conclusion regarding the origin of your leak, you’ll want a professional assessment if the fix isn't easy. When the professional finds the source of the issue be sure to ask them if they believe that it should be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. If so, call your agent right away and report the claim. Be sure to take pictures before any work is done, even work to stop the leak. Your agent will let you know what work can be done before the adjustor arrives.
Jason Duraj has been a real estate professional in the Tampa Bay area for nearly 20 years and is familiar with the causes of water damage. He and the team at Future Home Realty always recommend a home inspection as a contingency clause in any offer to check for water damage and other issues. If you are considering buying or selling a home, call us at (813) 992-7771.
