The fear of water damage often hounds property owners. However, it is almost impossible to escape water damage, since we have no control over nature. Water can damage everything in a home, from the walls to the carpet, and may costs thousands to do the necessary repairs. So, what type of water damage can you expect to see?
One of the key effects of water damage is the presence of mold, which is why most restoration companies focus strongly on mold removal and mold remediation. Mold is part of nature's way to help in the process of decomposition, but it is also highly destructive to property. It also grows very quickly and can appear within just 24 to 48 hours after water has entered the property. Mold grows anywhere, from your broom cabinet to the cushions on your couch. Mold literally eats away at the structure of your home and can also cause health problems for the residents of the home. It is not possible, therefore, to just allow mold to be there for long. Another very dangerous problem that can emerge is black water contamination. Black water is the most dangerous category of water because it usually includes human and animal waste. Black water contamination is a real danger to health, and can be caused by flooding from lakes or rivers. It is possible for a property to recover from this, but this is very difficult and all furniture and structural elements of the home will often need to be replaced. Of utmost importance is that the residents of the property and the cleaning crew receive a tetanus shot and other vaccinations. Basement water is a common source of black water. The next issue has to do with damaged gas and electric lines and appliances. Indeed, anything that could explode or runs on electricity must be turned off and have its wiring checked. Water damaged properties have to be completely switched off for some time after sustaining the damage. Sadly, damage to appliances is easily done, even with just a bit of basement water, and usually leads to them having to be replaced.
Finally, water damage can have negative effects on health. Indeed, as soon as water damage is present, a restoration expert must be called in to prevent negative repercussions on health. When mold and other organisms start to grow, they affect breathing and can cause asthma attacks and make any allergies worse. If some of the home residents are very young, very old, or ill, this could potentially cost them their life. Furthermore, even healthy people are at greater risk of developing a respiratory illness. Meanwhile, black water contamination is nothing short of dangerous. Last but not least, it is important not to forget about the emotional effect of being affected by water damage. The human suffering of losing everything is huge.