FEATURE: LEAK & FLOOD PREVENTION


LEAKSFROM PREVENTING DAMPENING HOME VALUES


By Stuart Kerr, managing director of Restorations UK, a leading flood restorations expert, working closely with both businesses, homeowners and insurance providers for leak detection and flood restoration to assist in claims, damage documentation and repairs.


I to


t’s a frightening truth that most UK homes will suffer from water damage at some point. In fact, over three quarters


(equating to 77%) of UK homes suffer from water leaks. The problem isn’t always seen, as water damage can impact a property, human health, and the homeowner’s finances. It’s when water build-up is mistaken for a harmless spill or similar, rather than understanding the symptoms of a leak, dampness, moisture, and broader water damage. From mould and condensation structural damage,


leaks can


quickly escalate and become problematic for homes and users within a property. Water damage has greater scope to cause costly property failures, like errors in plumbing or structural issues. When a home is inflicted by ongoing water issues, there are safety issues – but the problem goes deeper than what’s happening on the surface.


Health and wellbeing risks are


associated with property leaks. When a house is weakened from


22 DIY WEEK JANUARY 2022


dampness and moisture, there is always an increased risk of slips, trips and falls. This could result in common injury, or worse, and could be fatal if structural issues result in a ceiling or wall collapse. Respiratory infections, asthma and skin problems like rashes are a few of the common health troubles that are caused from mould or damp. When it comes to water damage in homes, how prepared are homeowners to deal with (and treat) problems both in the immediate future and the longer term?


Understanding Water Damage Water problems could arise from any number of causes, whether a property is located coastally, within known flood zones, or after a bitter


winter freezes pipes. This is where preventative measures are critical in helping homes withstand the stress and damage of water, which should be an ongoing project for a homeowner.


affect a home, causing unseen destruction


As water damage can discreetly behind walls


and


above ceilings. The battle faced by homeowners starts misconceptions,


with where many


wrongly perceive leaks as a simple inconvenience.


The fix might be hiring professional handiwork to repair or replace a broken pipe. But it’s important to understand how leaks can be symptomatic of a broader issue. When a leak is unmanaged, it can worsen into expensive


property damages,


including the


gradual erosion of critical plumbing systems, to weakening a property’s foundations. If a home goes on sale, these issues can even decrease its market value and prospective buyers will feel deterred. The problem with leaks is figuring out just how much damage has been done. Beyond the health or safety risks, many professionals will often also explain how a leak is costly because it means there’s high water waste on a property. According to the BBC, in homes across the UK and Wales, there are enough daily leaks to create roughly three billion litres of wasted water. Fortunately,


homeowners can


confidently take action to prevent future risks of leaks.


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