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Most Frequent Causes of Water Damage in Ocala & The Villages: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
websitebuilder • July 31, 2024
Most Frequent Causes of Water Damage in Ocala & The Villages: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
As a homeowner in Ocala or The Villages, you know that Florida's climate is a blessing and a curse. Abundant sunshine and warmth make for paradise living, but they also bring the risk of intense storms, humidity, and the potential for water damage. PUDDLES Restoration of Ocala & The Villages, we're your neighbors and water damage restoration experts. We've seen firsthand the most common causes of water damage in our area and are dedicated to helping homeowners understand and mitigate these risks.
The Unique Water Damage Challenges of Ocala & The Villages
Our region faces a unique set of water damage challenges due to:
- Subtropical Climate: Heavy rainfall, high humidity, and the occasional hurricane or tropical storm create a perfect environment for water to infiltrate homes.
- Aging Infrastructure: Many homes in The Villages, FL were built decades ago. Older plumbing systems, roofs, and foundations can be more susceptible to leaks and deterioration.
- Seasonal Residents: Snowbirds who leave their homes vacant for part of the year may not immediately notice slow leaks or plumbing issues, allowing damage to escalate.
- Sinkholes: While less common, sinkholes are a geological risk in Florida. They can cause sudden and significant structural damage, potentially impacting plumbing and drainage.
The Most Frequent Culprits of Water Damage in Homes
Let's dive into the most prevalent causes of water damage we encounter in Ocala and The Villages:
- Plumbing Issues:
- Leaky pipes: Corrosion, loose connections, and age-related wear and tear are common culprits. Even a slow drip can cause significant damage over time.
- Clogged drains: Blockages can lead to backups, overflowing sinks, tubs, or toilets, and water damage to floors and walls.
- Water heater failures: Old or malfunctioning water heaters can burst, releasing large volumes of water into your home.
- Washing machine malfunctions: Hoses can burst or leak, causing flooding in laundry rooms and surrounding areas.
- Roof Leaks:
- Damage Shingles: Wind, hail, and debris can damage or dislodge shingles, allowing water to seep in.
- Clogged gutters: Leaves and debris can obstruct gutters, causing rainwater to overflow and seep into your roof or foundation.
- Poorly sealed flashing: Gaps around chimneys, vents, and skylights are vulnerable entry points for water.
- HVAC Problems:
- Condensation leaks: Air conditioners produce significant amounts of condensation. If the drainage system is clogged or damaged, water can overflow and damage ceilings and walls.
- Leaky pipes: Pipes carrying condensation or coolant can leak, causing water damage inside walls or ceilings.
- Foundation Issues:
- Cracks in foundation: Soil shifts, settling, and tree roots can cause cracks in your foundation, allowing water to enter your crawl space or basement.
- Hydrostatic pressure: During heavy rains, water can build up around your foundation, exerting pressure that forces it through cracks and into your home.
- Appliance Malfunctions:
- Dishwasher leaks: Damaged hoses or seals can lead to leaks under or around dishwashers.
- Refrigerator leaks: Water line leaks or defrost drain issues can cause water damage to floors and surrounding areas.
What You Can Do: Proactive Water Damage Prevention
Taking preventative measures can significantly reduce your risk of water damage:
- Regular Inspections: Schedule annual plumbing and roof inspections to identify potential problems before they escalate.
- Prompt Repairs: Address any leaks or plumbing issues immediately. Even minor leaks can worsen quickly.
- Clean Gutters: Clear debris from gutters and downspouts regularly, especially during the fall when leaves accumulate.
- Proper Landscaping: Ensure proper grading around your foundation to direct water away from your home.
- Monitor Your Water Bill: A sudden spike in your water bill could indicate a hidden leak.
- Seasonal Preparation: Before leaving your home for an extended period, turn off the water supply, drain pipes, and have someone check on your property regularly.
When Disaster Strikes: PUDDLES Restoration is Here to Help
If water damage does occur, time is of the essence. Our 24/7 emergency response team is ready to deploy anytime, day or night. We'll arrive promptly, assess the damage, and implement a customized restoration plan to mitigate further damage and restore your home to its pre-loss condition.
Don't Let Water Damage Ruin Your Piece of Paradise
Ocala and The Villages are wonderful places in Florida to live, and your home is an investment worth protecting. By understanding the common causes of water damage and taking preventative steps, you can safeguard your property and enjoy peace of mind. And remember, PUDDLES Restoration Services of Ocala & The Villages is always here to help!
Contact us today at (352) 722-3790
Together, we'll keep your home dry.
What Happened After removing the old flooring from a home in Belleview, Florida , the flooring company uncovered water on the slab that was trapped under the underlayment. Unbeknownst to the homeowner, water was slowly penetrating the vertical exterior walls via hairline fractures. Both the cracks in the stucco and in the concrete slab itself were resolved, but the flooring company wanted the concrete slab moisture levels below a specific percentage. What We Did Florida tends to have elevated levels of humidity, including Belleview, Florida. To increase the drying efficiency, we sealed all the windows throughout the house with 4 mil plastic to prevent any moisture penetration. We placed a Phoenix DryMax XL Pro dehumidifier and a Dri-Eaz Stealth AV3000 axial air mover in each room. We also implemented the use of a heater to increase the internal temperature slowly to draw the moisture out of the concrete.
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WE REMOVED AND DISCARDED THE AFFECTED MATERIALS, CLEANED THE SUBSTRATE, THEN ENCAPSULATED RESULTING IN A CLEAN PRV.
The Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician (FSRT) certification covers scoping, mitigation, cleaning, deodorization, subrogation, spoliation, documentation of residential and commercial fire and smoke damaged structures and contents. Upon completing this certification, you demonstrate that you are prepared to perform and document cleaning and deodorization of typical residential or commercial fire and smoke damage projects. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
The Health and Safety Technician (HST) certification covers occupational health and safety. This certification demonstrates competency in cleaning, maintenance, and restoration industries concerning the Global Harmonized System (GHS) and health and safety principles. The certification covers engineering and administrative controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment used in each specific industry or trade. The certification promotes the importance of hazard and risk assessments and implementing controls on the identified hazards. The hierarchy of hazard controls is emphasized so that eliminating, reducing, and controlling hazards will become the focus of health and safety instead of just regulatory compliance. Upon achieving the certification, the technician demonstrates the skills, knowledge, and awareness needed to save lives and prevent work-related injuries and illnesses and recognize and appreciate the value of health and safety on the job. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
The Odor Control Technician (OCT) certification covers olfaction and odor, odor sources, detection process, theory of odor control, equipment, chemical options, and applications. Upon achieving the certification, you demonstrate how to address odors caused by biological sources such as decomposition, urine contamination, mold, combustion sources such as fire and smoke damage, and chemical sources such as fuel oil spills or volatile organic chemicals. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
The Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) certification covers mold and sewage remediation techniques to individuals engaged in property management, property restoration, IEQ investigations, or other related professions. The certification’s emphasis is placed on mold and sewage remediation techniques. Upon certification, the technician demonstrates knowledge to perform remediation services while protecting the health and safety of workers and occupants. An applicant must be certified as a Water Restoration Technician as a prerequisite to take this exam. The exam must be taken in-person only. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
The Trauma and Crime Scene Technician (TCST) certification covers the unique situations encountered when performing trauma and crime scene cleanup, regardless of surface, item, or location. The certification demonstrates knowledge of the various procedures and precautions taken when performing work at a trauma/crime scene and is based on the ANSI/IICRC S540 Standard for Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup. Upon achieving the certification, the technician demonstrates knowledge about inspecting and investigating human blood and other potentially infectious material (OPIM) contamination to establish hazard assessments, work plans, and procedures for cleaning and safely transporting contaminated material. Emphasis is placed on: health and safety requirements (including the hands-on donning and doffing of PPE and creating a hazard assessment of the area), structural remediation (cleaning and demo), contents remediation (cleaning and disposal), the cleaning and disposal of vehicles and industrial machinery (including lockout/tagout and working with industrial site officers) Biocide and Antimicrobial Technology Administrative Procedures, Documentation, and Risk Management Inspection and Preliminary Determination Equipment and Tools Limitations, Complexities, Complications, and Conflicts Structural Remediation Vehicle and Machinery Construction Contents Remediation Containment and Disposal of Waste or Sharps Confirmation of Cleanliness PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
The Applied Structural Drying (ASD) certification covers the effective, efficient, and timely drying of water-damaged structures and contents within a restorative drying environment. The certification is for the water damage restorer who has achieved the Water Restoration Technician (WRT) certification and understands water-damaged environments and employee health and safety in the workplace. Upon attaining the certification, you demonstrate you are prepared to perform drying strategies while protecting the health and safety of workers and occupants. An applicant must be certified as a Water Restoration Technician as a prerequisite to take this exam. The exam must be taken in-person only. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
The Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) certification demonstrates knowledge to perform remediation work and an understanding of water damage, its effects, and techniques for drying structures. Achieving this certification demonstrates a background in understanding the procedures necessary to deal with water losses, sewer backflows, and contamination such as mold. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@ PUDDLES restoration.com Website: www. PUDDLES restoration.com
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Ocala, FL 34471