Common Causes of Water Damage in Your Home

Common Causes of Water Damage in Your Home

Michael Duffy • July 1, 2025

What are the most common causes of water damage in homes? Maybe it’s an old pipe, a broken water heater, or even a catastrophic flood, but knowing that there’s timely water damage restoration Chesterfield homeowners can rely on makes it much less scary.

In this guide, our experts from True North Restoration of Greater St. Louis West give you a first-class introduction to the most common causes of water damage. We’ve also included some tips on what to look out for, and if something goes south, you go True North!

1. Leaking or Burst Pipes, One of the Most Common Causes of Water Damage 

Pipe bursts and leaks are the most common causes of water damage for any and all homeowners, no two ways about it. When your home constantly experiences freezing temperatures, high water pressure, or corrosion, the damage builds up, quickly becoming extreme water damage.


Warning Signs:

  • Water stains on ceilings or walls 
  • Warping or bubbling paint and drywall
  • A sudden increase in water bills
  • Musty odors or damp spots

How True North Restoration of Greater St. Louis Can Help:

We know how stressful a leaking or burst pipe can be, and we’re here to help you get things back to normal. Fast, reliable, and ready to help you 24/7, and we work with insurance, too!

2. Appliance Malfunctions

If a household appliance needs a water source to work, it can lead to water damage. Washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters can leak due to cracked hoses, loose fittings, or mechanical failures.


Warning Signs:

  • Pooled water behind or under the appliance 
  • Unusual sounds during operation
  • Rust or corrosion on hoses or connectors


How True North Restoration of Greater St. Louis Can Help:

A leaking dishwasher or a failed water heater can leave behind a big mess in your home. That’s where we come in, delivering fast, reliable water damage restoration.  Our goal is simple, quickly repair the damage, restore your home, and get you back on your feet!


3. Roof Leaks

When storms roll in, the wind blows everything away, and after a while, you get a wet spot on your ceiling. All it takes is one missing shingle, and water will seep through and into your attic, walls, and ceilings.


Warning Signs:

  • Brown stains or water rings on the ceilings
  • Mold or mildew in the attic
  • Missing or damaged shingles
  • Dripping water during rain


How True North Restoration of Greater St. Louis Can Help:

If a roof leak ruins your day, our team prides itself on stopping roof leaks in their tracks and expertly fixing them throughout Chesterfield, Ellisville, and the surrounding Greater St. Louis West area.


4. Clogged Gutters

When gutters are clogged with leaves and debris, water can't properly drain away from your roof and foundation. This can lead to roof leaks, fascia damage, and water pooling around the base of your home, flooding the basement or crawlspace.


Warning Signs:

  • Overflowing gutters during rain
  • Water pooling around your foundation
  • Mildew or algae on siding


How True North Restoration of Greater St. Louis Can Help:

We provide gutter cleaning and inspection services, along with expert water damage restoration in Chesterfield & Greater St. Louis West. Keeping your gutters clear protects your roof, walls, and foundation.


5. Sump Pump Failure

Your sump pump is your basement's first line of defense against flooding. When it fails, your basement can quickly fill with water, causing damage to flooring, walls, and belongings.


Warning Signs:

  • Standing water in the basement
  • Sump pump running constantly or not at all
  • Strange noises or vibrations from the pump


How True North Restoration of Greater St. Louis Can Help:

Sump pumps are common in our area, and we are fully trained to handle them, from inspection to full water damage restoration. If a sump pump fails in your home, know that we won’t fail to fix it anywhere in Chesterfield and the surrounding St. Louis West area.


6. Sewer Backups

Overview:
Sewer backups usually happen when something blocks the main sewer line. At times, heavy rain can overwhelm the system, or debris builds up. Whatever the cause, a sewer backup is more than just a messy inconvenience, it can be a serious health hazard that needs quick, professional attention.


Warning Signs:

  • Foul smells coming from drains
  • Gurgling toilets or sinks
  • Water backing up into tubs or showers


How True North Restoration of Greater St. Louis Can Help:

Our trained technicians handle sewage backup cleanup safely and efficiently, and we proudly serve homes and businesses in Chesterfield, Saint Charles, Washington, MO, and the surrounding St. Louis West areas. 


7. Natural Disasters

Severe weather events like heavy rainfall, flash floods, and hurricanes can wreak havoc on your home. Water damage from natural disasters often affects multiple areas and can happen with little warning.


Preparation Tips:

  • Keep your gutters and downspouts clear
  • Elevate valuables and electrical components in your basements
  • Install flood barriers or sump pump alarms
  • Know your evacuation routes and emergency contacts


How True North Restoration of Greater St. Louis Can Help:

We offer comprehensive water damage restoration services after storms, floods, and other natural disasters. From water extraction to structural drying, we’re ready to help Chesterfield & Greater St. Louis West homeowners recover quickly.


Conclusion

Water damage can start small, but it doesn’t take long to become a big, expensive problem, so understanding the most common causes and recognizing early warning signs can save you time, money, and stress. If you ever experience a leaking appliance, a roof issue, or storm damage, just let our team at True North Restoration of Greater St. Louis help with expert, local service you can trust.



Worried You Might Have Water Damage? Call Us Right Away!

If you’re dealing with water damage in Chesterfield or Greater St. Louis West, call True North Restoration today at (314) 557-3990 for fast, reliable restoration services you can count on, or schedule an appointment with us here!

Let our certified team restore your property and your peace of mind.

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