A Guide to Dealing With Water Damage
If you live in a region prone to floods, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place. Getting ready for a flood is best done by determining exactly where and how much water will enter your property. Basement flooding is a common occurrence.
Identifying the water source in your house can help you choose whether or not you should leave. If you’re planning to evacuate, make sure you have all of your important documents, medications, and other things ready to go.
Risks of Untreated Water Damage
Untreated water damage poses many health risks. These include bacteria, viruses, mold and mildews, fungus, chemicals, and gases. Inhalation of these compounds can cause respiratory problems, skin and eye irritation, headaches, as well as nausea. Water damage creates an instant danger to your property, possessions, and family.
It’s heartbreaking to see these objects destroyed by a flood or other calamity that leaves them soaked from everything. Without treatment, water damage could weaken your home’s foundation. The faster you initiate water damage restoration, the better it is for your health and safety. You can consult with restoration companies like Puroclean Florida to do inspections and provide you with strategies to treat water damage in your property.
Mold and Fungi Infestation
Mold growth in your house after a flood is nearly inevitable. This can grow from one to five days following exposure. Mold spores might contaminate almost any surface. The sooner these newly formed microorganisms settle into your environment, the more harm they do.
Some molds contain neurotoxins associated with severe respiratory issues. Mold growth near the damage site needs to be dealt with immediately, and clean up any debris, including air exchange vents that might bring potential airborne risks. If you want to remove mold in your home, you may get advice from family or friends who have dealt with the problem in the past.
Structural Damage
When mold gets exposed to water, bacteria can grow inside of it. These bacteria will quickly respond as the mold expands because their food source has been disturbed. There may also be external elements that can cause damage to the house’s foundation, such as water penetration depth and time spent inside the property, resulting in further structural damage outside the walls.
Storms or hurricanes could flood a home’s wall surfaces, floors, and belongings. According to research, most flood victims suffer significant interior and external damage. Water with harmful components like sand may tear through most materials within a house, endangering its structural stability.
Pests
A property with water damage can attract pests like cockroaches and carpenter ants. Rodents could also invade your house in search of water. After a flood, earwigs and moths can be found inside. Drain flies also favor damp areas, causing wet issues everywhere. Damp insulation or carpeting is one of the indicators of pest infestation.
You could hear scratching inside one of the walls. Insects might get in through cracks and gaps in windows destroyed by floods, even if they are not visible. If this occurs, repairs should be carried out immediately to prevent further damage.
Conclusion
Flood damage can lead to a wide range of health issues, including the formation of molds, fungus, and germs. Addressing water damage as quickly is crucial since the effects can be catastrophic. Cleaning up a water disaster is often best done by specialists who can safely and thoroughly eliminate contaminants from the damaged area.
Self-cleaning is unsafe since you risk contamination and can’t be sure you’ve gotten rid of all harmful or damaged materials. Immediate action is the most effective method to minimize residential property damage and protect your whole family from health risks brought on by untreated water damage.
