8 Water Damage in the House: Reasons, Impacts, and Preventions

Written By Adam Paul - Waterproofing Expert

Water damage in a house refers to the destruction or deterioration of a home's structure, furnishings, or contents caused by excessive water or moisture. Water can accumulate in the house due to factors such as burst pipes, leaking roofs, faulty appliances, poor drainage, and foundation cracks. These issues increase water and moisture levels, leading to below 8 severe water damage in the house.

These are the 8 severe water damage in the house

1. Mold and mildew growth in the house
2. Water stain marks in the house
3. Musty and earthy odor in the house
4. House wood rotting
5. House metal corrosion
6. House material decaying
7. Home material erosion
8. Paint peeling in the house

These water damages cause to structural weakening, mold and mildew growth, damage to personal belongings, and potential health risks due to mold exposure. To prevent these water damages water issues should be fixed and the building envelope should be waterproofed using a waterproofing membrane.

What are the Water Damages and Negative Impacts in the House?

These are the 8 most negatively impacted water damages in the house.

1. Mold and mildew growth in the house
2. Water stain marks in the house
3. Musty and earthy odor in the house
4. House wood rotting
5. House metal corrosion
6. House material decaying
7. Home material erosion
8. Paint peeling in the house

1. Mold and Mildew Growth in the House

The mold growth in the house is growing a fungi colony on the walls, basement, slabs, columns, home fixtures, and appliances in the house. Molds are microscopic organisms that grow in wet or damp environments and spread as a colony. Molds can grow on various materials in the house, like wood, carpets, paper, furniture, insulation, and food. Molds and mildew produce a musty and earthy smell, which is unpleasant and unhealthy.Mold and mildewnegatively affect on the home structure and humans.

Negative impacts of mold and mildew growth in the house

1. Increase health issues such as allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
2. Structural damage to the home.
3. Decrease in property value.
4. Unpleasant odors.
5. Increased costs for mold remediation and repair.

2. Water Stain Marks in the House

Water stain marks in the house are discolored blemishes that are often found on walls, ceilings, and floors due to prolonged exposure to water or moisture. Stain marks can occur due to roof leaks, plumbing leaks, condensation, flooding, and poor ventilation in the home. The stainmarks in the house cause many negative effects.

Negative impacts of water stain marks in the house

1. Devalues the home
2. Causes structural damage
3. Leads to mold and mildew growth
4. Ruins aesthetic appeal
5. Potentially hazardous to health

3. Musty and Earthy Odor in the House

Musty and earthy odor in the house is a strong, unpleasant smell in the house due to dampness, mold, and mildew growth. This unpleasant odor can happen due to prolonged water leakage, basement flooding, lack of proper ventilation, dust, and dirt accumulation in hard-reached areas. This bad smell can cause many negative impacts on the human.

Negative impacts of Musty and Earthy odor in the house

1. Potential health risks, including respiratory problems, allergies, or infections.
2. Decreased comfort and enjoyment of living space.
3. Potential damage to the structure of the house.
4. Decreased property value.
5. Increased difficulty in selling or renting the house.

4. House Wood rotting

House Wood rotting is the decay and degradation of wooden structures in the home due to fungal growth in the wood tissue. Wood rotting is a common problem in the wooden parts in the house, which are continuously interact with the water.

Reasons for House Wood rotting

1. Excessive moisture or humidity within the house.
2. Poor ventilation leading to trapped moisture.
3. Lack of maintenance or poor quality of wood.
4. Water leaks from plumbing or roof.
5. Inadequate or improper sealing of wood.

Negative impacts of House Wood rotting

1. Structural damage to the house.
2. Decrease in property value.
3. Potential health risks due to mold and mildew.
4. Increased repair and replacement costs.
5. Attraction of pests like termites and beetles.

5. House Metal Corrosion

House metal corrosion is a gradual degradation or destruction of metals in the house due to react of water in the house. Structural steel supports, machines, tools and instruments, wiring, furniture, and home appliances are the most damaged metals in the home due to water.

Reasons for House Metal Corrosion

1. Exposure to high humidity level
2. Exposure to high moisture levels
3. Exposure to rainwater
4. Exposure to water and the high-temperature
5. Exposure to vapour air

Negative Impacts of House Metal Corrosion

1. Structural damage to the house
2. Increased risk of electrical faults or fires
3. Potential for water leaks from corroded pipes
4. Decreased value of the property
5. Increased maintenance and repair costs

6. House Material Decaying

House material decaying is a deterioration process where the structural components of a house, such as the wood, metal, concrete, and other materials due to water. This can lead to serious structural issues and even potential health hazards.

Reasons for house material decaying

1. Moisture and humidity due to water seepage and leakage
2. High water pressure
3. Higher water flow
4. Prolonged water leakage
5. Exposure to harsh weather conditions

Negative impacts of house material decaying

1. Decrease in property value
2. Increase in repair and maintenance costs
3. Potential health hazards
4. Structural instability and safety risks
5. Decrease in aesthetic appearance

7. Home Material Erosion

Home material erosion is the gradual degradation or wear and tear of the materials used in the construction and finishing of homes due to water flow. This can happen over time when the water is flowing through the materials.

Reasons for the home material erosion

1. Higher water pressure in the basement
2. Higher water flow close to the house structure
3. Selecting low-quality materials
4. Material decaying

Negative impacts of home material erosion

1. Decrease the property value
2. Increase in maintenance and repair costs
3. Structural instability and potential collapse
4. Health hazards due to exposure to damaged materials
5. The aesthetically unpleasant appearance of the home

8. Paint Peeling in the House

Paint peeling is the cracking, lifting, and flaking of the paint on the walls, ceiling and other painted surfaces due to water and its substances. Mostly paint peeling can happen due to water damage.

Reasons for paint peeling in the house

1. High humidity and moisture levels
2. Poor surface preparation before painting
3. Use of low-quality paint
4. Paint applied on a dirty or oily surface
5. Extreme weather conditions and temperature fluctuations

Negative impacts of paint peeling in the house

1. Damages the aesthetic appeal of the house
2. Can expose underlying material to damage
3. May lead to higher maintenance costs
4. Can lower the value of the house
5. Potential health risks from ingesting or inhaling peeling paint particles, especially if the paint is lead-based

How to Prevent Water Damage In the House?

You should follow these 5 way to prevent water damage in the home.

1. Install a waterproofing membrane: You should install a waterproofing membrane in the basement, bathroom, concrete, and specific areas that tend to be regularly wet and pool. Building waterproofing helps to prevent the spread of accumulated water over the floors, walls, and ceiling in the house that causes water damage.
2. Ensure proper roof maintenance: You should inspect the roof at least once a year for damaged or missing shingles. You should clear the gutters and downspouts regularly to prevent water buildup that could lead to leaks and water damage.
3. Install a sump pump: You should install a sump pump in the basement. A sump pump helps prevent basement flooding by automatically pumping out excess water that accumulates during heavy rains or due to groundwater.
4. Seal doors and windows: You should seal doors and windows using caulk or weatherstripping around doors and window gaps and spaces to prevent water from seeping in during storms.
5. Improve the drainage system in the home: You should improve the drainage system around the home to ensure that the ground slopes away from the foundation.