Two Sources of Water Damage That Are "So LA"

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

Heavy rains are few and far between in Southern California, so Los Angeles homeowners seldom worry about water damage caused by such storms. So while preparing for LA's rainy season even when it's dry is important, there are a couple of other sources of home water damage that property owners across North Hollywood and the surrounding areas should be concerned about, particularly during the hot, dry summer months.

Air Conditioning

With summer temperatures that reach the upper 90's and low 100's, San Fernando Valley homeowners often run their air conditioning units 24/7. Such heavy usage can create conditions that cause water damage to your property in a couple of ways.

First, as part of the cooling process, a working A/C unit draws water vapor from the air and condenses it into a liquid. That liquid needs to go somewhere. Usually it is piped out of your home by a drain line. However, if the drain line is clogged, water can accumulate into a drip pan which can then overflow. Over time, it is also possible that the drain line or drip pan could become damaged, allowing water to escape through gaps or cracks in the system.

If you depend on your A/C to keep you cool during LA's hottest months, be sure to have it and other elements of your property's HVAC systems inspected and cleaned by SERVPRO of North Hollywood. Regular service helps restore units to peak energy efficiency and reduces the risk of both water damage and mold growth.

Lawn Sprinklers

One side effect of a lack of raindrops is the need for alternative water sources to keep lawns looking fresh and green. If you haven't yet transitioned to a more drought-tolerant landscape, you probably have lawn sprinklers running on a regular schedule providing much needed water to thirsty grass, shrubs and trees on your property. Because these systems are often set and forget, sometimes homeowners are unaware of problems until the damage is done.

For examples, water sprinklers can cause excess runoff to collect around your foundation. Over time, the water can seep through or even cause cracks in the foundation. Or if the water crests above the foundation line, it can soak into basement or crawl space walls and flooring. One way to proactively monitor this is to keep an eye on your water and sewer bills and look for any unusual spikes that might indicate excessive water usage.