Water damage is a nightmare that can leave anyone helpless. It can cause major issues that will take a lot of time and money to fix. This is why Water Damage Restoration | A1 Water & Mold Removal | San Antonio Texas experts advise that you do everything to prevent it from happening. And in the eventuality of water damage, you need to act fast to reduce its impact. Here are some of the ways water damage can affect your home:
Structural Damage
One of the major impacts of water damage is structural damage. The subfloors can split or warp, and the drywall starts to deteriorate, so you may have to replace them. Solid materials used in making foundations, like concrete, stone, or masonry, can also absorb water through cracks. If this water isn’t removed, it can cause defects in the foundation and weaken the whole structure.
Mold Growth
Mold growth is also part of the negative effects of water damage. This is because the water, in combination with the right conditions, can trigger mold spores. Once they appear, mold is challenging to treat and remove. Also, it can spread all over the house when untreated and cause adverse health effects. It can cause headaches, chronic coughing, sinus congestion, stiffness, or shortness of breath.
Electrical Damage
Water damage can also affect electrical systems. As a result, it makes electrical boxes, wiring, and outlets dangerous. After water damage, it is advisable to shut off the entire house’s electrical supply till help arrives.
Water damage can also affect electrical appliances like wash machines, dryers, kitchen appliances, furnaces, hot water tanks, and other low-mounted electrical outlets.
Health Hazard
Once your home is exposed to floodwater, it becomes prone to harmful bacteria. If you don’t get the correct treatment, these toxins can cause severe respiratory problems and other health issues like typhoid, cholera, and dysentery.
Bug Infestation
Water-damaged homes are a perfect breeding ground for bugs like fleas, mosquitoes, spiders, beetles, ticks, and others. Bugs love humidity levels of 70 to 80% and warm temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. A water-damaged house typically has all these and more.
Persistent Bad Odor
A strong odor is another major impact that water damage can have on your home. Unfortunately, attempting to mask the odor with an air freshener doesn’t work. The best way is to correct the damage done.
Devalued Property
When you don’t get quality repair and cleanup, you won’t be able to conceal the evidence of water damage fully. This way, any home appraiser expert can easily recognize these signs of water damage. Also, the bad odor resulting from poorly restored water-damaged homes can discourage potential buyers.
What To Do After Water Damage
Contact Your Insurance Company
The best thing to do after water damage is to contact your insurance company. They will send an adjuster to your home to inspect the damage done and determine if your insurance covers it. This is because it’s not every insurance that covers flood damage.
Protect Yourself, Appliances, And Valuables
Even after experiencing water damage, you have to ensure your entire household is safe. Before entering your home after a flood, ensure to use protective gear to protect yourself against bacteria. You should also turn off the power supply if you can and remove lightweight items from the standing water.
Start Water Damage Repair
It’s important to document the damage level of your home before starting a water removal procedure. It’ll help with your insurance claim. If you have the chance, schedule a water damage restoration service a day or two after you’ve been allowed to access your home again.
How To Dry Out Water Damage and Remove Humidity
If you feel like starting the drying process yourself, ensure you use protective gear. Start sorting out salvageable items and those that need to be thrown away. To prevent any injury or health hazard, consider putting on protective gloves.
Thereafter, use a mop and bucket to remove water in hard-to-reach areas. Once you’ve lowered the volume of water, you can then rent a wet-dry vacuum from local hardware to finish the job. When you’re done, allow the area to dry and ventilate properly. A dehumidifier can assist you in making this process easier. In a case where there’s too much-standing water, it’s preferable to use a wet-dry vacuum from the beginning.
In conclusion, taking the proper steps after your home experiences water damage can help to prevent the damage caused from getting worse. If you feel the whole process is too much for you to handle, ensure you reach out to an expert for help.