Appliance Failure And Water Damage in Charlotte

11/2/2015 (Permalink)

Check and Replace Appliance Water Lines to Prevent Water Damage Says the Experts from SERVPRO

SERVPRO Recommends Appliance Inspections to Prevent Water Damage to Your Charlotte Property

Charlotte water damage to your home can be the result of appliance failures leading to leaking or flooding. For this reason, it is important that you access tips and tricks that will help you keep your home safe from water damage. Learn more about how to decrease susceptibility to water damage by reviewing the following strategies offered by SERVPRO.

Shut Your Water Off

Your first step when you realize that there is flooding is to shut off the water source. There should be a main water line shut off in the area where your water line enters the residential property. Take a moment to learn where this water shut off valve is located right now so that you'll be prepared in the event of an emergency. SERVPRO strongly recommends this tip.

Dishwashers and Refrigerators are the two kitchen appliances known for causing flooding. Here are some simple tricks to use with these appliances:
• Periodically check under the sink for leaks where the water supply connects to the hose. If you have an ice-maker or water dispenser, check the water supply line connector on the cold water line.
• Search the base cabinet of your kitchen sink for warped flooring materials, leaks, or underlays that have moisture or water pooling resulting in possible visible water damage.

Washing Machine. Make sure that you're replacing the cold and hot water hoses of the washing machine regularly. Ideally, they should be replaced every four or five years. These replacement efforts are important because the hoses can become damaged if the washing machine moves or vibrates during the wash cycle. Make sure that the drain tube is secure in the housing on the wall.

Clothes Dryer. Simply cleaning the dryer's lint trap following each load will not be sufficient for keeping the vent line free and clear of lint. Also, check the exterior port occasionally for clogging from leaves or other foreign material. If the ductwork and air vents become clogged, the dryer can start to function inefficiently. A malfunctioning dryer could also initiate a fire. Fire damage could lead to water damage if firefighters need to extinguish an extensive blaze with water. Make sure that you're using your vacuum cleaner's nozzle to clean the lint line once each month.

Water Heater. Make sure you drain your water heater once each year. This will prevent sediment build up from forming at the bottom of your tank causing rusting (oxidation) and calcified buildups leading to clogging. Check that your emergency overflow line is unobstructed and that your water heater is sitting on a catch pan for retaining initial leaks. A slow drip into this pan may save your ceiling from drywall repairs if your water heater is installed in the attic.

Although faulty appliances can lead to serious water damage, being aware and periodically checking your appliances, may prevent any large, expensive issue. If you have water damage in your Charlotte home, call SERVPRO. Our assessment and recommended strategy to dry the water damaged areas, will immediately begin thus limiting water-damaged furnishings, carpeting, and structural materials by following guidelines of the IICRC.  Our goal is to limit your expenses and make it like it never even happened.

Locally Owned and Operated

SERVPRO of South Charlotte is locally owned and operated. When you have a water or flooding emergency, we’re already nearby and ready to help. We take pride in being a part of the Charlotte community and want to do our part in making our community the best it can be. Call us. (704) 333-7737