Bulk Water, Usually Rain
The most common and destructive type of water damage is typically rain related and includes many sources:
- Water seepage though basement & foundation walls
- Leaks around sky lights
- Leaks through walls at areas like doors and windows
- Roof leaks, usually through penetrations and flashing errors
- Plumbing leaks, an outlier but relevant
Bulk water leaks come in many forms from the rare catastrophic plumbing failure to the more common hidden leak that causes its damage over many years. Homeowner maintenance goes a long way to preventing and reducing problems. For those building new, we suggest hiring builders who take these matters seriously. We think blower door test results offer a fair measurement for distinguishing between builders for this type of hidden craftsmanship.
Two of the most common areas of concern I see with new construction in our area: foundation drainage and window/door flashing. Roof leaks are most structure’s biggest problem and a blog.
Removing roofing and siding always reveals the surprises of hidden water damage. From brand new homes to old historical houses almost all structures are experiencing some amount of water damage somewhere.