Water damage is the stuff of nightmares for most property owners. If snow melts quickly, rivers burst their banks, or there is significant rainfall, the chance of water damage occurring is significant. The damage that water can do may be observed in every part of the home, from the carpets to the appliances, and may costs thousands to fix. But what are the effects of water damage on a property?
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. It also grows very quickly and can appear within just 24 to 48 hours after water has entered the property. It can develop anywhere, from your children's toys to your bathroom tiles. Mold literally eats away at the structure of your home and can also cause health problems for the residents of the home. Hence, if there is mold, it has to be taken care of straight away. Another very dangerous problem that can emerge is black water contamination. Black water is highly contaminated water, often containing human and animal waste. This water, which includes river and lake water, can cause significant illness. It is possible for a property to recover from this, but this is very difficult and all furniture and structural elements of the home will often need to be replaced. After a black water contamination, both residents and cleaners have to get vaccinated against tetanus and other diseases. When basement water floods a property, it often contains black water. The next issue has to do with damaged gas and electric lines and appliances. All electric and gas lines and appliances must be turned off and the wiring and piping must be checked. Water damaged properties have to be completely switched off for some time after sustaining the damage. Sadly, damage to appliances is easily done, even with just a bit of basement water, and usually leads to them having to be replaced.
Lastly, there are health considerations to make as well. In fact, it is the health problem that make it so necessary to phone a restoration expert as soon as possible. Mold is common in water damaged properties and affects the airways, causing people to suffer from asthma and allergy attacks. This can be potentially fatal to the very young, the very old, and the otherwise ill or infirm. Mold massively increases the chance of people developing a respiratory illness. Meanwhile, black water contamination is nothing short of dangerous. Lastly, there is the emotional stress and pain associated with experiencing water damage, which is something that should always be considered. When homeowners lose those things that they love, the psychological impact is tremendous.