Water Damage: Causes and Types

Causes of Water Damage

Water damage can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Natural disasters: Floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters can cause significant water damage to homes and businesses.
• Plumbing leaks: Leaks from pipes, faucets, and water heaters are a common cause of water damage.
• Roof damage: Damaged roofs can allow water to leak into homes and businesses.
• Basement flooding: Flooding in basements can be caused by heavy rains, snowmelt, or broken pipes.
• Sewage backups: Sewage backups can occur when sewer lines are clogged or damaged.

Types of Water Damage

Water damage can be classified into two main types:

• Category 1 water damage: This type of water damage is caused by clean water, such as rainwater or water from a broken pipe. Category 1 water damage is typically the least severe type of water damage and can be cleaned up without extensive remediation.
• Category 2 water damage: This type of water damage is caused by water that is contaminated with sewage or other contaminants. Category 2 water damage is more severe than Category 1 water damage and requires professional remediation.

What is the Root Cause of Water Damage?

The root cause of water damage is water intrusion. Water can enter a building through a variety of openings, including:

• Cracks in the foundation
• Holes in the roof
• Damaged windows
• Leaky pipes
• Clogged drains

Once water has entered a building, it can spread quickly through walls, floors, and ceilings. This can cause significant damage to the building and its contents.