Water Damage in Maine Happens More Frequently One May Think

Water damage in Maine happens more frequently than one would think. This type of damage can cause headaches for property owners and can affect a variety of areas and materials within your home. Acting quickly to mitigate damages by contracting with certified technicians is key to preventing secondary damages like mold growth. The IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification), which has recently changed its name to The Clean Trust, is the firm that provides guidelines, education and certification to the restoration industry. When you need a mitigation contractor insist on one that is certified. Certified contractors can also help communicate with your insurance company in the event of a claim, which can make the situation much less stressful for you as the homeowner.

In the spring we typically see flooded basements from high groundwater and/or snow pack run-off. These are often catastrophic losses as many people finish off their basement to expand their home's living space. Also consider the amount of items that are stored in your basement, as well as the manner in which they are stored. Elevated storage can go a long way in preserving your personal property from damage. In many of these instances the installation of a sump pump or proper maintenance of below grade floor drainage can help prevent issues. It is also important to keep areas around your foundation well sealed with proper drainage around the perimeter. The installation of properly directed gutters can also aid in sending water away from your foundation.

Summer and fall can bring beautiful weather, but can also bring water damage. Plumbing failures, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms with fallen trees are all causes of damage. Keeping trees properly maintained and removing unhealthy trees can help prevent roof and interior damages. With plumbing failures such as supply lines and silcocks, often the damage could have been prevented by proper maintenance or by shutting off the supply. Always inspect and replace supply lines as recommended. Check for any bulging in the case of a rubber line like those on washing machines. Look for corrosion on copper lines as corrosion is a sign of possible failure in the near future. Shutting down the supply when not in use is a great option for things like washers and garden hoses. When left pressurized these can release a large quantity of water in a relatively short time and often the water damage is widespread depending on the location within the home. For example, a washing machine on the second floor of the home with a broken supply line can cause water damage to that floor, the first floor, and even in many cases the basement or crawlspace below. When not in use keep your hose off at the silcock not the nozzle, and when you are not doing the laundry shut off the water supply to your washer.

Winter is the season that often finds property owners inconvenienced with the effects of water damage. Very cold temperatures can cause pipes to freeze. The pressure exerted by the water inside the pipe expanding as it freezes is often times enough to cause the pipe to burst. The resulting harm can be minor to severe. Typically, it depends on the amount of water released by the source and the duration of time before discovery. Many times poorly insulated pipes are the culprit. Inspect areas of your home where water pipes exist. Rim joists should be properly insulated to prevent cold air from reaching basements and crawlspaces. Insulating pipes in cold areas such as knee wall and basements can help to keep them from freezing. In the event of a burst pipe time is critical in responding to the damage as water will continue to migrate through building materials even after the source is shut off. Keeping buildings properly heated and winterizing those that are not can also keep your property protected from a casualty.

Snow covered roofs are a sign of winter and water damage season in Maine. As the snow piles up homeowners often have no indication of damage until moisture has penetrated the roof sheathing, insulating materials, and finished materials. Many ice dam incidents have resulting mold impact as well due to prolonged periods of time between occurrence and discovery. Having a mitigation contractor who specializes in mold remediation and water damage clean up is important to ensure your loss is handled properly. Ice dams can be prevented with proper weatherization within your home (particularly the attic) to prevent heat loss, and by keeping your roof shoveled after snow events.

Along with being a beautiful place to own property; water damage in Maine is a possibility no matter the season. While some incidents cannot be avoided there are many that can with a few preventive measures. When prevention isn't possible seek the expertise of a certified cleaning and restoration / mitigation company to help ensure your home is restored properly and promptly.