Water Damage: Causes, Types, and FAQs

What is Water Damage?

Water damage refers to the degradation of a building or its possessions due to the presence of water in an unwanted or excessive amount.

Causes of Water Damage

• Natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, floods)
• Plumbing leaks (e.g., burst pipes, faulty appliances)
• Roof damage (e.g., leaks, punctures)
• Condensation (e.g., in poorly ventilated spaces)
• Sewer backups (e.g., due to heavy rainfall or clogs)

Types of Water Damage

• Comes from a sanitary source (e.g., broken water pipe)
• Causes minimal health risks

• Slightly contaminated (e.g., from washing machines or dishwashers)
• Can cause minor health issues if ingested

• Heavily contaminated (e.g., from sewage backups or floodwater)
• Poses significant health risks and requires immediate remediation

FAQs

Flood damage refers specifically to damage caused by overflowing bodies of water (e.g., rivers, oceans), while water damage can have various other causes.