All You Need To Know About Water Damage In Alaska
Categories of Water Damage
Water damage doesn't have a standard definition. Still, in general, any moisture that damages or destroys the interior of your home is considered water damage.
Category 1 is the least severe type of damage. It’s referred to as “clean” because it is free of toxins and sewage. Generally, It doesn’t pose a health threat to humans.
Category 2, or “gray,” water damage is more severe than Category 1. It includes dirty water that comes from:
Sump pump backups
Toilets
Washing machines
Category 3 is the most severe type of water damage. It’s described as “black” contamination, and it can present major consequences to human health.
It is incredibly unsanitary and contains toxins and disease-causing organisms. The liquid in Category 3 most often comes from a broken toilet bowl containing feces or sewer backflow.
Why should I care about Water Damage?
Water Damage is a serious concern, and you should keep an eye out for it.
Water Damage usually accompanies severe weather events, so it's essential to plan for them. You don't need to write down a formal plan but you should think about what you would do in the event of a pipe bursting, a heavy rainstorm that causes flooding, or an overflowing toilet before these things happen.
If you live somewhere with freeze-thaw, pay particular attention during the thaw period as ice dams can form, causing water to accumulate on your roof and seep into your home. If you live somewhere with severe rainstorms or frequent weather events, check home seals and thresholds to ensure water is not entering the home.
These tips will help you plan ahead, but what happens when water damage isn't dealt with promptly? Maybe you have a leak somewhere that's not commonly trafficked.
If left untreated, water damage can cause mold, unpleasant odors, electrical damage that could result in a fire, and damage to your home's structure.
6 Common Areas For Home Water Damage in Alaska
Bathroom
With so many connections to waterlines, bathrooms are one of the most flooded areas of a household. The best way to avoid flooding is to make sure that your seals are in good shape. A seal is what covers up any cracks or spaces where water might get through. This includes between tiling, at the base of your shower, around spigots, and around the base of your toilet. Grout may need to be checked every 6 months or so, especially here in Alaska where we have such a high number of earthquakes. Silicone seals last 5 years or more, but only if they were properly applied. Even a slight amount of water getting through a crack can lead to mold or water damage. It’s also extremely important that you know how to cut off water in your bathroom. If your toilet is flooding, make sure to turn the water off behind the toilet so that the water stops flooding.
Kitchen
The kitchen can be a particularly vulnerable area for floods due to multiple sources needed for water. It’s imperative to keep an eye on valve seals, which, over time can rot or come loose. Having tight valves will also help your refrigerator work more efficiently, which will lead to a longer lifespan. If you are moving your dishwasher or fridge, make sure that you carefully put them back into place. Dishwashers also have the potential to leak from the door seal. If the rubber gasket becomes corroded or doesn’t seal properly, you could have a big problem while you run a load. Make sure to clean this rubber if you notice any buildup.
Roof / Gutters
Making sure your roof is properly waterproofed is a big deal in Alaska. During the colder winter months, it is less of a problem, but with the amount of weight your roof bears, it’s important that you keep an eye on how your roof ages. Especially during the late winter to early spring months, ice dams can quickly become a big problem. It’s not always clear if there is a leak. Making sure your roof is properly shingled and waterproofed is worth calling a professional for. As snow melts, there’s an immense amount of water covering your roof and gutters. The key to avoiding gutter leaks is drainage. Make sure that you clean your gutters twice a year at least, so that water can properly flow outwards from your house.
Laundry Room
A washer machine leak has the potential to get out of hand quickly. It’s a good idea to regularly check your washing machine hose. The majority of washing machine floods happen from this line being backed up and disconnects. So, it’s important to keep an eye on it. It’s also not a bad idea to have some sort of drainage in your laundry room. Since many houses in Alaska don’t have a traditional basement, you can waterproof the area your laundry machine is with tile or even a tray that sits under the machine. You can buy a tray at a local hardware store. It’s not going to stop a huge flood, but it will catch a little water for minor leaks. Do not put your washing machine directly on the carpet if you can help it.
Pipes
“A pipe just burst” is not something you want to hear or be saying. One of the biggest threats to pipe leaks is the change in weather. Here in Alaska, pipe bursts are a real threat. The best way to insulate your pipes is to keep them in warm places. Make sure warm air can get to your pipes and be sure to seal off any spots where cold air may be seeping in. Also, be sure to leave your water running during the winter months. If you’re a Snowbird, leave your faucet dripping so that water circulates through your pipes (It would be a good idea to have someone check on your house as well). Heating is expensive, but it’s cheaper than dealing with a burst pipe.
Or, if you are in town, and are concerned you may have a frozen pipe. This resource will help you identify and potentially fix the problem yourself before it becomes a bigger problem.
External Walls
Examining the exterior walls and foundation is a good practice, especially in Alaska where we deal with earthquakes small and large quite often. Cracks can lead to moisture which can lead to mold, so if you feel as if your house has shifted during a quake, please call a professional to take a look.
So, it looks like my house is flooding. What do I do?
When You Notice The Flood
Discovering a flood can be overwhelming but there are steps you can take immediately to minimize damage before the professionals show up. The first thing you want to do is stop the source of the flood. Find your water shut-off valve, likely in your garage, basement, or crawl space, and turn it off. This will stop the flow of water to your entire property.
Calling for Help
You should always call for help if you discover a flood or major leak has occurred. Even small leaks can cause major problems if they are not correctly taken care of. Some things to look for:
Is my flooring bubbling up or bowing?
Is my flooring saturated with water?
Is there water running down my walls or near electrical outlets?
While Help is on the Way
While help is on the way you should do what you can to soak up the water if it is safe to do so. If the water is in contact with electrical outlets or wiring be sure to turn off the power before doing any work. Put towels down to soak up water.
48 Hours Later
If you’ve hired a professional, they will have instructions on what to do 48 hours after the flood has been identified.
If you are handling the situation yourself, investigate the source of the water to ensure it is no longer leaking and make sure all water has been soaked up. If you need to use drying fans, you should have a professional take care of the situation as this is a potential indication of major water damage.
Long After the Flood
Dealing with insurance can be difficult at times. The important thing to remember is to document everything that has occurred with photos or video to show the insurance company exactly what happened. Some water damage companies will work directly with your insurance to help you out.