It is not uncommon for water damage to happen in homes. It can be caused by many things, such as roof leaks or leaky pipes, but the water is often just sitting there until it causes a bigger problem. If you are thinking about selling your house and know it has water damage, this article will help you sell your home faster than ever before! We’ll go over some common causes of water damage and how to fix them so that you can get this issue behind you.

Your Options For Selling Your Home With Water Damage

Can you sell a house with water damage? The short answer is yes, but it’s a little more complicated than that. To sell with a real estate agent, the simplest path forward is to repair the issues before selling. Although it is possible to sell to a traditional buyer with water damage, your list of potential buyers will shrink significantly. The two most feasible options to sell your house with water damage will be to either repair everything and sell it with a real estate agent or sell to a home buyer that specializes in renovating homes and will buy it with the damage.

The Commons Causes Of Water Damage

Water damage is a fairly broad term, and quite a few root issues can cause it. Here are the most common causes of water damage.

Leaking Pipes

Leaking pipes are the number one cause of water damage in homes. Whether it is a burst pipe or a slow drip, it can cause a moist environment that encourages mold growth.

An Example Of Water Damage From Plumbing Leak

As a testament to how commonly plumbing leaks cause water damage, here is an example from a home we recently renovated. The renovation was finished, we accepted an offer from a buyer, and they had received their home inspection report with no significant issues. However, during the period between offer acceptance and closing, we began to notice a wet spot on the ceiling of the first floor of this two-story home.

At first, we thought it was a leaking roof, and we even had a roofing company do some repairs. But that didn’t fix the issue! Finally, we realized that it was a very slow drip from where we had the plumbing in an upstairs bathroom reworked.

Shut Off Water Supply

Sometimes you can quickly locate where your plumbing system is leaking and address the issue. Other times, like the example just mentioned, it is a little more challenging to find. However, if you are suspicious that you may have leaking pipes, you can shut off your water supply at your water meter. If the damage does not grow anymore, chances are it was coming from a plumbing issue.

Roof Leaks

A leaking roof is another issue that can lead to water damage in your home. Even if your roof is in good shape, a strong storm can blow off shingles and cause a water intrusion point. This is especially common with two-story houses since they sit higher and catch more wind than shorter homes.

Roof Leak Diagnostics

Diagnosing a roof leak can be straightforward if the problem is that some shingles got blown off, and there is a vantage point where you can get a good view of the roof. However, sometimes leaks will develop around pipe boots or exhaust fan outlets, and these issues aren’t detectable from the ground.

Repairing Roof Leaks

If you suspect the water damage in your home is coming from a leak in your roof, it is best to call a roofing contractor to come and take a look at it. They will diagnose the problem and repair the damages, thereby stopping the water intrusion and preventing further damage.

Leaking Appliances

Another common cause of water damage is malfunctioned appliances. The most common culprits are washing machines and dishwashers. Your water heater can also leak when it becomes old and deteriorated, so you should keep an eye on it if it’s inside your home and not in your garage.

It is common for a dishwasher or washing machine to leak when it does not drain properly. The leak could either occur in the drain plumbing or in the body of the appliance itself since they’re not made to hold large amounts of water for an extended period of time. Where the leak is coming from will dictate the type of contractor you will need to fix the issue. You will need either a plumber or an appliance repair service.

Water Damage Caused By Flood

This type of water damage is typically the most widespread and destructive since the other causes are generally more localized. Flood damage, on the other hand, affects your entire house.

If your home is in a flood zone, you will be required to maintain flood insurance with your insurance company, which can be very expensive. However, that is the one silver lining with water damage from flooding since your insurance company will likely be heavily involved, and the money from the claim will aid in the flood cleanup and necessary repairs.

Air Conditioning Leak

Many times air conditioning units located in an attic or a closet will overflow with water and cause damage to the surrounding area. Your air conditioning system produces condensate during normal operation, and this water is carried outside by a pipe. However, these pipes often become stopped up, and this causes the drip pan around the unit to fill with excess water until it overflows.

Stopping An Air Conditioning Leak

Repairing an air conditioning unit that is causing water damage is often a simple fix. It typically involves flushing out the drain pipe to clear whatever is causing the blockage. Also, an HVAC company can install a sensor on your drip pan that will turn your unit off if the water level gets to a certain point so that it never overflows and causes water damage.

Flooded Basement

It is extremely common for basements to leak through their walls after extended periods of rain. This results in wet flooring and the smell of mold and mildew in your basement.

These leaks are often due to a high amount of moisture sitting outside the exterior wall of the basement. Over time, leaks develop, and water begins pouring in. The most effective fix is to have a contractor dig out the soil around the leaking walls and add measures to divert the water while also re-sealing the walls.

Safety Hazards From Water Damage

Many obvious problems accompany water damage, such as ruined drywall and swollen flooring. However, other more dangerous issues may arise if the water intrusion is not treated promptly.

Mold Due To Moisture

First off, moisture from water intrusion creates a breeding ground for mold, which you do not want in your home due to the health problems associated with it. A small leak for a short amount of time will likely not cause a mold problem, but prolonged moisture will definitely lead to mold growth.

Damage To Electrical Systems

When water is entering your home in unwanted areas, it is possible to come in contact with the wiring. This can cause shorts and other electrical issues as well as fires.

Structural Damage From Water Intrusion

Depending on where the water is coming from, your home can suffer structural damage if the leak is not fixed as soon as possible. The wood used for framing houses is not made to withstand moisture. If it is allowed to stay wet for an extended period of time, it will lose its load-carrying capability, and structural repairs may be required.

How To Repair Water Damage

The first step of water damage repairs is to fix the root cause as soon as possible. Whether it is a pipe burst, a leaking water heater, or a number of other plumbing issues, trying to fix the symptoms while water is still coming into your home is a losing battle. Every day that more water enters your home, more damage will occur, and if it lasts for more than a week, it could be a disaster.

Repairing Cosmetic Items

Once the root issue is repaired, you can begin the restoration process. This often includes replacing stained or molded drywall, swollen flooring, and deteriorated trim. Don’t let the brevity of that list mislead you. Drywall work alone is a huge undertaking.

Mold Removal

If there has been significant water damage and mold has been allowed to grow, you will likely need to employ the help of a water damage restoration specialist. They will use floor fans to dry out the air and improve your home’s air quality, which will prevent future health issues.

Selling Your Home Without Making Repairs

We don’t want to sugarcoat it. Although sometimes water damage really isn’t a big deal, sometimes it can be – especially if it is left unchecked for an extended period of time.

The easiest way to sell your home with water damage is to locate a cash buyer that specializes in restoring damaged houses. They have experience with homes that need extensive repairs, so water damage is nothing they can’t handle.

A professional home buyer will buy your home completely as-is, so you won’t have to worry that no one will want your home because of the water damage.

We are professional home buyers that purchase houses in Harvest AL and all of the surrounding areas. We will buy your home without hassling you to make a single repair.

No matter what issues you are facing with your home, we will make you an offer to buy it so you can leave your problems behind without worrying about listings, showings, or multitudes of inspections.

If you’d like a fair, no-obligation offer on your home with water damage or any other issues, contact us today!