Hidden Cause of Water Damage
10/14/2021 (Permalink)
What happened?
A common cause of Kitchen water leaks is the plastic water line behind the refrigerator. Those lines will crack, a slow drip begins and water pools behind the fridge unnoticed. Another common cause is excess condensation buildup which has the same effect. Water damage from your fridge can cause problems in your home if left unchecked. The problem can go unnoticed for so long, at this point the damage has already taken a toll on your floors and surrounding areas. Moisture and heat in the dark environment create perfect conditions for mold to form and your floorboards to rot. Somewhere like an apartment or enclosed area these mold spores can cause issues and a problem like this should not be overlooked. Over at SERVPRO San Gabriel we are experts in mold remediation and will gladly remove and prevent further frustrations for you.
What to do?
It is important to first clean up any visible water to avoid further damage and possibilities of mold occurring. Once this is done you should inspect your fridge and see if there are any noticeable leaks or areas where condensation may be forming to excess. It is important to replace any faulty connections to stop the immediate leak if possible. If you are able to, assess the damage done to the area under and around the fridge. Most of the time floorboards will show visible damage, but the real problems can occur underneath where you cannot see.
Tip: a water alarm behind/under your fridge to catch any further problems from getting worst.