The Harmful Effects of Water Damage
Whether your property has sustained water damage due to a leaking appliance, a flood, or a roof in need of repair, the effects can be costly. Water damage can worsen if it isn’t handled quickly. Your health could even be at risk. In order to deal with this kind of issue effectively, you can likely benefit from some knowledge on the topic. Here are some points worth considering if you are faced with a situation that leads to water damage.
Types of Water Damage
First, you should know that there are different categories of water damage. The first kind is from water that is clean, such as when a sink overflows. The second type is called gray water and is potentially harmful, such as when a toilet breaks. The third category involves what is known as black water, which is contaminated with bacteria or worse. This might include leakage from a sewage system, for example. Prolonged exposure to black water may have a serious effect on the health.
Property Damage
The initial results you will probably be aware of are to the property. In most cases, you will be able to see some of this destruction immediately. You may see damage to the floors, walls, or ceiling on your property. If left untreated, the results can be perilous to your property. Water can make its way into various parts of a building, and that may lead to serious structural problems.
When a flood or other sort of water mishap is not managed relatively quickly, the moisture can seep into the walls, columns, and foundation. By allowing the water to continue its destruction, you could be left with surfaces and structure that sustain splitting, shrinkage, and delamination.
Health Risks
The potential harm to your health could be worse than any amount of property damage. If you live or work in a building that has sustained water damage, you might ultimately suffer for it. An environment damaged by water is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Contamination from bacteria and mold can cause a variety of serious illnesses, including lung infections.
When mold spores are in the air, you could also experience allergy symptoms. Dust mites can thrive in a moist indoor setting, and they may greatly exacerbate allergies.
Additionally, growing mildew and mold may cause certain materials to deteriorate. When that happens, certain particles, gases, and chemicals can become airborne. The people who frequent such an environment are then susceptible to breathing in those airborne contaminants.
Signs of Water Damage
Sometimes, water damage can manifest without being preceded by a catastrophe. Look for signs of an underlying problem. Such signs might include:
- Earthy odors, which may be caused by mold, mildew, or rotting wood
- Fuzzy growths that look like mildew or mold
- Peeling and blistering walls
- Cracking, warped, or buckling floors
- Warped or cracked ceilings or walls
Never allow water damage to be left untreated. Even if the effects don’t seem harmful immediately, problems can develop over time. Don’t put your health or your property at risk.
STOP Restoration assesses, extracts, restores, and repairs the destruction caused by water. Call us at (505) 892-3112.
