No property owner wants to face a water damage problem. If snow melts quickly, rivers burst their banks, or there is significant rainfall, the chance of water damage occurring is significant. The damage caused can cost thousands to restore, with every part of a flooded house, from its foundations to its furniture being affected. Let's examine some of the most common types of water damage.
The most common problem of water damage is mold growth, requiring mold remediation and mold removal services. Mold is a kind of fungus that helps things decompose, but it can also cause tremendous destruction to properties. It also grows very quickly and can appear within just 24 to 48 hours after water has entered the property. Mold can grow any surface and can be found anywhere, from under your floorboards to the inside of your kitchen cupboards. Mold will start to affect anything it comes into contact with, including the health of humans living in that property. Therefore, it is not a problem that can be left alone. Black water contamination is another potential danger that needs to be addressed. This happens when water from unsanitary sources, that may include animal and human waste, get into the property. When black water contamination happens, which can be because of lake or river water, there is a real danger to public health. The only way to recover from black water contamination, if possible at all, is to replace practially all the structural elements and all the contents of the home. Anyone involved in the property or its cleanup will require vaccinations against tetanus and other diseases. Basement water is a common source of black water. The next issue has to do with damaged gas and electric lines and appliances. It is important that all appliances and other equipment are turned off and that all wires and pipes are checked. This means that most people in a water damaged property will not be able to make use of their utilities for some time. Unfortunately, even having just a little bit of excess basement water can lead to serious problems with appliances, which will have to be replaced more often than not, to the cost of thousands.
Lastly, there are health considerations to make as well. It is vital that a restoration expert be brought in straight away to minimize potential damage to health. When mold and other organisms start to grow, they affect breathing and can cause asthma attacks and make any allergies worse. For children, the elderly, and people with a compromised immune system, this can be truly dangerous. Mold massively increases the chance of people developing a respiratory illness. As stated, black water contamination is a very real danger. 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.