Water Damage Insights for Historic Homes
Early Detection is Key
Water damage ranks at the top of the list for ongoing fears among homeowners, from multi-million-dollar estate owners to first time buyers. According to Consumer Affairs, “water damage is among the most common and potentially destructive forces facing homeowners.”
Water intrusion can cause significant damage including mold, rot, and structural degradation. Given the cost of labor, permitting, and inspections, mold remediation, structural repair, and water damage restoration costs can be very high for San Francisco’s historic homes.
Despite these risks “fewer than 20%” of all homeowners take precautionary measures. The most recent data reveals that water damage was responsible for 24% of all U.S. homeowner insurance claims. Being mindful of the hazards of potential water damage including causes and sources helps mitigate problems from minor to serious.
No doubt, water damage in San Francisco’s historic homes causes serious problems ranging from structural to cosmetic, including destroying the integrity of the architecture and those hard-to-replace interiors. Follow this guide on water damage to avoid potential problems.
Steps to Avoid Water Damage
- Annual inspections of roofs and making timely repairs/replacements, when necessary, can help avoid expensive and damaging leaks.
- Keeping gutters clear from debris that causes backups with annual and seasonal gutter cleaning service stops gutters from overflowing with water when there is heavy rainfall. In cold climates it is imperative to keep gutters clean to avoid “ice dams” from heavy snowstorms.
- Linear drains offer extra protection from debris and water. To keep them functioning, monthly / weekly cleanings pay off.
- Check hoses from washing machines to faucets to ensure those hoses remain secure.
Red Flags Signaling Water Damage Problems in Historic Homes
- The first tell-tale signs of water damage are often overlooked. Interior paint peeling, cracking, and bubbling from walls to crown moldings to ceilings and window trim are easy to spot. These signs are often obvious once you look for them.
- Mold on and around windows and walls is a sure signal of water leaks. These leaks can range from small dots to larger areas.
- Under sink leaks in kitchens and bathrooms are most common. Once a month use a flashlight to check the wallboard and bottom of the area.
- Moisture marks on the walls and ceilings can be exceedingly small initially then rapidly evolve into larger problems.
Early detection is key to avoiding further destruction and compromise of the walls and ceiling.
Preventive and Regular Maintenance Matters
- Have a Home Maintenance Check List and Calendar .
- Enter key dates with alerts on your digital calendar.
- When washing windows semi-annually have them checked for leaks.
- Check exterior paint areas for cracks, bubbling and lifting monthly.
- Change water filters in refrigerators and ice makers semi-annually to avoid leaks.
- If you have a sump pump, schedule regular inspections.
- Check sump pump back-up batteries.
Water damage restoration requires specialized expertise and architectural understanding of the city’s historic homes. Skilled in restoration projects for almost two decades, Centoni Restoration and Development understands first-hand the requirements for thoughtful restoration of San Francisco’s historic homes.
