It’s the season of joy, celebration, and family gatherings – but for many homeowners in Baltimore and the Washington, D.C. area, it may be the beginning of significant water damage in the home. With the holidays comes an influx of overnight guests, which increases the demand for your household appliances. With this demand comes appliance leaks, especially if your appliance is already suffering from wear and tear.
While the leak may be easily detected, the potential for water damage is high. ServiceMaster by Singer is here to break down what you should know about the extra appliance use this holiday season, how to prevent water damage in your home, and what to do if you're currently faced with a wet laundry room or kitchen.
A Full House During the Holidays Can Overwork These Appliances
Whether you're having your in-laws stay for a few days or hosting a holiday party for the extended family, the extra laundry and dishes can take a toll on your washing machine and dishwasher. Your water heater will also be used more heavily as additional family members take showers and wash their hands.
Why Is My Appliance Leaking?
Appliance leaks can be caused by many factors, some of which might not be immediately evident. That's why it's important to inspect your appliances regularly, especially before any expected uptick in use.
A few appliances prone to leaks include:
- Dishwashers – The most common reason for dishwasher leaks is misalignment or loose connections in the water supply line.
- Washing Machines – Washing machines may leak from the hose connected to your washer or from a failed seal at the pump or tub. Additionally, if you have an older model, worn-out parts can be a cause.
- Water Heaters – Corrosion and mineral buildup on the tank can lead to leaks in your water heater, as well as a failed drain valve.
Homeowners tend to rely on appliances so much that they don't know that anything is wrong until it's too late and water is leaking everywhere. If you’re hosting extra family members this season, take extra steps to avoid these common reasons for appliance leaks.
How Can I Keep My Appliances from Leaking?
It's important to recognize that these appliances need regular maintenance and cleaning to continue working their best and prevent a multitude of issues, such as leaks. This extra care gives them their best shot at keeping up with the holiday bustle.
In addition, older appliances (those around six years or older) are more prone to leaks and breakdowns. If you have an appliance nearing the end of its lifespan, consider replacing it before your home becomes your family's holiday hub.
Leaky Appliances Can Lead to Significant Water Damage
If you don't keep an eye on them, these seemingly minor appliance leaks can cause a great deal of damage to your home – beyond your kitchen or laundry room.
Water from a leaking dishwasher, washing machine, or water heater can seep into your home's subflooring, walls, and other areas. This hidden damage may not be seen until it's too late – so it’s important to take action quickly when you spot an appliance leak.
Why Water Damage Is Dangerous
Water from an appliance leak can quickly spread to other rooms or even floors in the home and cause extensive damage, which can be costly, time-consuming, and even dangerous. If left unchecked, water damage will grow into:
- Foul odors and musty smells that linger in the home
- Warped flooring, walls, and furniture
- Unsightly wall stains, discoloration, and bubbling
- Damaged and unsafe electrical wiring, outlets, and AC units
- Mold growth within 24-48 hours (and the poor air quality that comes from it)
Water damage can quickly become a health hazard, whether a minor leak or complete flooding. To prevent this and further moisture from seeping deep into your home's structure, you must take any necessary measures to ensure it's removed.
How to Address Appliance Leaks & Prevent Water Damage
No matter which appliance is leaking, it's important to act fast. Here's what you should do as soon as you notice an appliance leak or signs of water damage in your home:
- Inspect the situation to see if a door is not properly shut or a hose is loose
- Shut off the appliance and main water supply line to prevent any further damage
- Call a water damage restoration company for professional mitigation and repair
Taking these steps will help minimize water damage, saving you money and time in the long run. And after the immediate danger is addressed, it's important to contact a qualified appliance repair technician for inspection and repair before you use it again.
Can I Clean Up Water Damage in My Home on My Own?
If you're dealing with water damage in your home due to an appliance leak this holiday season, don’t try to tackle the issue on your own. Not only is the process difficult and time-consuming, but avoiding professional assistance might cause you to miss trapped moisture that'll lead to costly damage down the road and unhealthy conditions for your family and guests.
Trust ServiceMaster by Singer with Your Water Damage Restoration Needs
Accidents happen even if you do your best to take care of your household appliances. When they do, you can trust ServiceMaster by Singer for prompt, reliable water damage restoration services in Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Here's what you can expect from our team’s water damage restoration process after an appliance leak:
- Assessment – Once we arrive, we’ll assess the affected and surrounding areas to decide on the best strategies to restore your home.
- Water Damage Mitigation – We'll mitigate the damage by removing wet materials from floors and walls to keep the damage contained.
- Extraction – We'll use specialized equipment to extract any standing water from your home, as well as dry out any areas that have been affected.
- Sanitization – After all the water has been removed, we'll use specialized cleaners to disinfect surfaces and complete mold remediation for anything that may have grown in your home.
- Restoration – Finally, we'll repair any structural damage caused by water and restore your home to its pre-loss condition.
Don't let the holiday season be a nightmare for you and your family – trust ServiceMaster by Singer with all your water damage restoration needs. We're here to help you prevent water damage from appliance leaks and get things back to normal.
Our team is available 24/7 to start your water damage restoration – contact us today!
