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Preventing Water Damage in the Attic

The attic is one of the most important places in the house where proper ventilation is very important. Each one should be watchful of the glaring signs that moisture might be penetrating your house from your attic.

What you should inspect in the attic for signs of moisture:

insulation
ceiling and floor
recessed light canisters
appliances

How to prevent water damage in the attic:

The pipes must be properly insulated.
Sufficient ventilation in the attic should be provided.
Overhang and crawl spaces should have proper ventilation.
Prompt investigation should be done as signs of moisture are observed such as stains.
In cold seasons, the attic should be kept warm with a temperature warmer than the outside air to prevent ice formation on the roof.

Assess the extent of damage.

Evaluate the extent of the water damage to your property. It is helpful to categorize your damaged property into partially damaged and severely damaged. Moreover it is also important to assess both structural and personal belongings damages.

STRUCTURAL DAMAGE:

Exterior Structures that should be checked for damage:

roof
missing or damages roof shingles
bent or damaged gutters
collapsed portions
cracked exterior surfaces
damaged or cracked chimneys
front lawn
damaged flora
flooded areas
backyard
exterior walls
wet exterior walls
signs of water intrusion
collapsed walls
windows
broken windows
cracked windows

Interior structures that should be checked for damage:

bathroom
stained sink
damaged bathtubs
leaks around toilet tank
attic
wet insulation
cracked ceilings
wet or damaged ducts
wet or damaged vents
rooms
sunk electricity
damaged wood
wet or cracked ceilings, walls, and floors
sunk phone jacks
broken or cracked windows and doors
basement
stained duct work
wet or cracked foundations, walls, and floors

PERSONAL DAMAGE:

What to do:

Prepare a list of damaged items.
Make a list of lost items.
Make sure that you make a room by room list of damage.
Be as thorough as possible in order to be able to include everything.

Preventing Water Damage in the Kitchen

Moisture sources in the kitchen:

dishwasher
sink
countertop
cooking range
refrigerator
exhaust fans

Types of Damage

There are different water damages that can best be resolved if the known causes are known. These include the visible and the invisible causes.

3.1. Visible Causes of Water Damage

1. Roof Leaks

It is a known fact that roofing materials wear out eventually with time. This wearing out of the roofing materials results to the exposure of the roof decking to damage and water intrusion. The most common places of roof pe*******ons include plumbing vents, chimneys, and exhaust fans.

Causes of roof pe*******ons:

Worn out shingles that tend to curl and crack
Cracked chimney caps
Accumulation of water between the roof and a blocked gutter
Flat roof drains that cause clogging of water on the roofs

2. Windows and DoorsThe improper installation of windows and doors allow the pe*******on of moisture into the wall. Additionally, weather stripping, damaged seals, and flashing around windows and doors cause the pe*******on of windblown moisture as well.

3. Attics

When heat is allowed to escape from the attic because of poor insulation, rooftop snow can turn into an ice dam. As moisture is forced to back up under roof shingles due to the ice dams, moisture can eventually drip into the attic, walls, or ceiling.

4. Gutters and Drains

It is important for gutters to empty far enough from foundation walls else it can lead to damage and a wet basement. Rainwater can be forced to travel under shingles by clogged gutters. Moreover, clogged gutters can also force rainwater to overflow into interior walls. An insufficient number of drains can also cause overflow.
Fig.4. Visible Causes of Water Damage (Roof Leaks)

Fig.4. Visible Causes of Water Damage (Roof Leaks)

5. Rainwater

Rainwater may collect beneath a crawlspace or along the foundation wall during wet months if it is not properly directed away by a proper drainage system.

6. Landscape Grade

It is important to know that improper landscape grading can cause drainage to be directed toward foundation walls. When this happens, it is very likely for water damage to occur.