Water damage is something property owners worry about. Unfortunately, water damage is quite common, as it can be caused by many natural events. When there is water damage, this affects everything, from the basement to the attic, and restoration costs frequently run into the thousands. Let's take a look at the ways that water can damage a home.
The most common problem of water damage is mold growth, requiring mold remediation and mold removal services. Mold is very important in nature, helping in decomposition, but it is indiscriminate on what it decomposes, including various parts of homes. Just 24 to 48 hours after sustaining water damage, mold will start to grow. Mold can affect everything from your drywall to your curtains. It affects the structural integrity of a property and can even affect the health of people living there. Hence, it must be addressed immediately. Water damage can also lead to the very serious situation of black water contamination. Black water is the most dangerous category of water because it usually includes human and animal waste. When black water contamination happens, which can be because of lake or river water, there is a real danger to public health. Remediation is possible but incredibly difficult, with most people having to replace all the structural parts of their home and all their furniture. Furthermore, residents of the property must receive vaccinations because of possible contamination with tetanus bacteria and other diseases. It is common for black water to be present in basement water. Gas and electricity lines are also often damaged by water. Indeed, anything that could explode or runs on electricity must be turned off and have its wiring checked. This means that most people in a water damaged property will not be able to make use of their utilities for some time. Even the smallest bit of basement water can cause this problem and it usually means having to replace electrical and gas appliances, costing thousands of dollars.
The final thing to consider is the effect of water damage 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. This can be potentially fatal to the very young, the very old, and the otherwise ill or infirm. Indeed, even people in good health are at risk. Black water contamination is, as stated, the most significant danger to health and should be avoided at all times. Finally, people affected by water damage may also suffer from emotional problems. When homeowners lose those things that they love, the psychological impact is tremendous.