Sudden heavy rainfalls can hit an area hard, sometimes leading to unexpected flooding throughout an entire neighborhood.

Widespread flooding can bring with it severe water damage to home and property. Additionally, these floodwaters can often contain bacteria from sewage or other unhealthy chemicals. Cleanup should be conducted right away.

Plumbing failures can be caused by frozen pipes, as well as failing washing machine hoses, leaking water heaters, corroded/rusted pipes, and many other problems.

Plumbing leaks can lead to damage high in the home, damage wall cracks, and flood behind drywall. In the case of sewer line failure, they can also create a potentially unhealthy condition in the home.

Even during normal rainfall conditions, where flooding is not a threat, groundwater can find its way into a basement or crawl space. When this happens, a homeowner can find themselves plagued by routine flooding conditions on their below-grade space. Finished basements can be ruined, crawl spaces can rot, and mold spores and odors can permeate the home.

Pipes don’t freeze, but the water inside them may. When temperatures plummet, the water expands as it turns into ice and could exert enough pressure to rupture a pipe wall or break apart a pipe joint. Such leaks, if undetected right away, can cause significant damage to floors, carpeting, drywall, and fiberglass insulation. Burst copper pipes used to supply water to plumbing fixtures or to circulate water to baseboard radiators are common sources of major leaks.

Pipes may also burst for reasons other than freezing, such as when a carpenter accidentally drives a nail through one, but freezing is the most common cause of pipe leakage.

Small water intrusions and minor plumbing leaks can be easy to overlook or ignore, and over time they can lead to major problems with mold and rot. Wall cavities, cupboards, closets, and attics are especially susceptible to damage from mold, rot, and water damage. Additionally, vented crawl spaces and basements can allow humidity in, leading to moisture problems, mold, and rot.