Quick and Easy Water Damage Repairs

Did you know that water damage is one of the leading causes of insurance claims in the US? Damaged homes and commercial buildings rake millions of dollars in repairs every year! To maintain a strong, sound structure, you have to protect your home from water damage.

If say, there is minimal damage to your home caused by moisture, you can do the repairs yourself to save up on repair costs. But for severely damaged homes, it is best to hire professionals to get the job done. In today’s post, we are listing down quick and easy water damage repairs you can do in and around the home:

A Leaky Basement

One of the most common causes of water damage is a leaky basement. To make repairs, you have to find the leak. Start by locating the leak and applying a sodium-silicate based sealant to seal the leak. Then, remove the standing water and dry the space very well to reduce the risk of mold growth. The key here is to make sure the basement remains dry so watch out for signs of condensation or water stains. To be on the safe side, have the basement checked by an inspector after making the repairs yourself.

Leaky Plumbing

Another cause of water damage is a leaky plumbing system. Unless the system is plagued by multiple leaks, you can conduct the repair yourself. Depending on the extensiveness of the damage, you can either patch up the leaky pipe or change one or several damaged pipes if the problem is internal. Once the pipes have been repaired, watch out for telltale signs of leaks. Finally, wrap the pipes with insulation to reduce potential condensation and residual dripping. If the exterior pipes are damaged, just patch up or replace damaged pipes and forgo the insulation wrapping.

Fixing the Plant Root System

Did you know that plant and shrub overgrowth could cause water damage to the home too? When the root system of the plant and shrub is too close to a structure, water could penetrate its foundation. To reduce the risk of water damage caused by the unruly root system, develop and follow an efficient plant root system. You can resolve minor water damage caused by plant and shrub overgrowth by trimming the shrubs and removing water that pools near the foundation of your home.

Damaged Drywall

Start by searching for the source of the leak and sealing it off with a sealant. For ceilings, the usual culprit is a leaky roof or a leaky toilet. For leaky toilets, we highly recommend getting a plumber to resolve the issue.

Once the leak is located and repaired, you need to remove the damaged section of the drywall. Check if the drywall is still attached to the framing. If it is sagging or loose, you have to replace the damaged section of the drywall. If the wallboard is secured, do not break through the surface of the wallboard. Instead, remove the screws and work your way into the worst part of the damage to pull up the board. Scrape off the mud and paint with a putty knife.

If the drywall panel is not damaged but stained, you can cut out the damaged portion using a keyhole saw. Then, patch the removed portion with a piece of another drywall. Finally, add a smooth coat of cement adhesive to patch the drywall. Ensure that the patched area will hold firmly so apply pressure as the cement adhesive dries. For smaller holes, you can use joint compound.