The fear of water damage often hounds property owners. Water damage can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which cannot be stopped. 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. While mold is necessary in nature to decompose certain things, it also destroys man-made things. Just 24 to 48 hours after sustaining water damage, mold will start to grow. It can develop anywhere, from your children's toys to your bathroom tiles. 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. 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. 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. After a black water contamination, both residents and cleaners have to get vaccinated against tetanus 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. Anything that could cause an explosion or electrocution must be switched off and rewired. 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.
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. Mold, for instance, can enter the airways leading to asthma attacks and more significant allergy problems. 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. Last but not least, it is important not to forget about the emotional effect of being affected by water damage. Often, homes end up condemned, meaning people will literally lose the things that they have loved.