The Potential Hazards of Water Damage

· 4 min read
The Potential Hazards of Water Damage

Millions of Americans must deal with the undesireable effects of water damage with their home or property every year. Thousands will see that had they been proactive and arranged for restorations immediately it could have been cheaper in the end or in extreme cases had saved their residence. Water damage and mold is probably the leading causes of lack of property in america. It is essential that homeowners have the ability to identify possible water damage and mold and much more importantly find experienced and certified professionals to assess the damage and restore their house. There are several dangers associated with water damage that can put the property and the residents at an increased risk. Often times the severity of water damage is underestimated resulting in one of several unfortunate scenarios which will be discussed at a later juncture. Additionally, there are several health risks that may also be addressed that homeowners ought to be aware of. The goal of this article would be to reinforce the absolute need for hiring a skilled and knowledgeable team to look at any water damage and mold immediately upon discovery by the residents.

There are several causes of water damage, each of which carry another severity and set of risks. Malfunctioning appliances have been recognized to cause damage and range in severity based on the particulars like the nature of the appliance and its own location. Dishwashers and washers can leak or overflow resulting in damages. Broken pipes or cracks in the building blocks of a home could cause water to accumulate in unseen locations and frequently go unnoticed until water spots appear on walls or on the ceiling. Broken sump pumps and overflowing toilets certainly are a common cause of water damage and can be among the most hazardous. Natural disasters and bad weather are some of the most destructive causes of water damage and mold and so are largely not preventable by routine maintenance. No real matter what the reason is, untreated water damage and mold can result in massive expenses and headaches for homeowners and that is why you should understand the risks of damage associated with these occurrences.

Discover more  are not aware just how damaging household disasters involving water can be. Quite often simply fixing a leak or the foundation of the water is not enough to solve many unforeseen issues. When wood is subjected to water for significant amounts of time it can commence to rot, damaging the structural integrity of a home. Many times large parts of affected wood must actually be replaced to prevent future collapses that may occur months as well as years after the initial contact. Water can also cause delamination of household building materials which can also compromise structural integrity which often results in an increased price tag later on. The severity of water damage and mold is often underestimated due to the fact water can seep down into unseen locations and cause damage in areas that only a specialist would know to check. Many homeowners won't call in the experts soon enough since they don't want to pay for restoration which ends up costing much more than the initial repairs. If the damages are severe enough and the residence is deemed unfit to live inside it can result in total loss of property. Because some forms of water damage are not covered by standard plans it can also cause a lack of principle investment in the home. It is important to have an insurance policy that covers flood damage in areas which are prone to flooding because flood damage repairs can often be quite costly. Some areas that are susceptible to flash flooding include Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins and the surrounding area. In many cases hesitation to call in an experienced water damage and mold restoration contractor cannot only cost residents more income but it may take a toll on their health and the fitness of their family as well.


There are numerous health threats associated with water damage and mold that many people may not be alert to. One common risk associated with water damage, especially in unseen locations may be the growth of toxic mold. There are countless strains of mold which can grow in affected areas which pose serious health risks to humans. Many short-term effects are very unpleasant such as fatigue, coughing and rashes. The future effects of mold could be a lot more frightening than for a while for as long term mold exposure has been linked to several different cancers and severe, possibly life threatening infections. Aside from mold, water damage can bring humans into connection with many different extremely harmful micro organisms that can cause severe illness and even death. Water leaks inside a home are rated in three categories. Category 1 includes water from water supply lines. This could be either a broken or leaking supply line or the malfunction of an appliance which is fed from one of the lines. Category 1 water is considered relatively clean and posses little health risk. Category 2 water, often termed "grey water," can carry micro organisms and frequently backs up because of sump pump failure or compromised dishwashers or similar appliances. Water of the Category 3 posses serious health threats to humans and carries a range of life threatening fungi, bacteria, viruses and other microbes. This water contains sewage supported from septic tanks or toilets or could originate from groundwater, nearby bodies of running water or stagnant surface water. Because of the possible health risks associated with the latter categories it's important a professional is brought in to measure the severity of the problem.

In conclusion, water damage can be quite a very serious issue for a number of different reasons. Untreated damages can result in elevated expense of repair down the road or even total loss of property and investment as some damages aren't included in insurance. Damages may bring with them unforeseen health risks that can range in severity based on the category of water. For many people a home is the largest investment they'll make. It's important that homeowners protect their investment and call in an expert at the initial sign of water damage. Homes can frequently be replaced but families cannot. Additionally it is vital that homeowners not put the fitness of their families at risk by trying to categorize and assess the dangers of household disasters themselves. Calling a certified water damage restoration expert is the safest strategy to use about restoring ones home after a disaster has occurred. Don't take chances together with your home or your health, call in an expert, it might just be the most important call you ever make.