Water damage is something property owners worry about. Water damage can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which cannot be stopped. Water can damage everything in a home, from the walls to the carpet, and may costs thousands to do the necessary repairs. But what are the effects of water damage on a property?
One of the key effects of water damage is the presence of mold, which is why most restoration companies focus strongly on mold removal and mold remediation. While mold is necessary in nature to decompose certain things, it also destroys man-made things. It also grows very quickly and can appear within just 24 to 48 hours after water has entered the property. Mold can affect everything from your drywall to your curtains. 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. Black water contamination is a real danger to health, and can be caused by flooding from lakes or rivers. 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. Black water is often found in basement water flooding. When a home sustains water damage, its gas an electricity lines will also often be affected. 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. Sadly, damage to appliances is easily done, even with just a bit of basement water, and usually leads to them having to be replaced.
Finally, water damage can have negative effects on health. Indeed, as soon as water damage is present, a restoration expert must be called in to prevent negative repercussions on health. Mold is common in water damaged properties and affects the airways, causing people to suffer from asthma and allergy attacks. This is particularly dangerous for those with a poor immune system, the elderly, and children. Mold massively increases the chance of people developing a respiratory illness. As stated, black water contamination is a very real danger. 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.