Last Updated on April 13, 2024 by Umer Malik
What are the effects of water damage?
Nothing is worse than going home to a water-damaged home—water p ooling, musty smell, warped walls, and ceilings, you name it. Not only that, but it also costs you a lot of money in the long run if you choose to ignore the signs of water damage. Did you know that the average cost to repair a water-damaged home in 2021 ranges from $1,303 and $5,486? Take note that the price will only go higher when you don’t do something about it. So what exactly are the adverse effects of water damage?
1. Mold growth
When there are damp areas in your house, it’s impossible that mold growth is one of the things you’d least expect. Molds grow in a short span of time (within 24 or 48 hours) and ignoring the signs will only make it worse. Moreover, too much exposure to mold growth could have negative effects on your health. As per the Rhode Island Department of Health, “Certain molds, such as Stachybotrys and Aspergillus, can produce toxins called mycotoxins under certain conditions. Exposure to mycotoxins can cause more serious illness.” As much as possible, don’t let it sit in your house for too long.
2. Respiratory issues
Especially if you already have experienced respiratory issues, it will not be safe for you when you have a water-damaged home. The thing is once you have respiratory problems (asthma, allergies, or respiratory issues) or are immunocompromised, you tend to be more sensitive to molds and fungal infections. The symptoms of mold sensitivity include the following:
- Stuffy nose
- Irritated eyes
- Skin irritation
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Wheezing (especially in people with a history of asthma or emphysema (COPD).
- Manifesting signs of infection, such as fever, productive cough, shortness of breath, and weight loss
Don’t compromise your health too much, and consult a medical professional if you have experienced such symptoms. Most importantly, have your water-damaged home inspected by an emergency mitigation services (EMS) specialist immediately to get a definitive mitigation program.
3. Pests
As long as there’s stagnant water lying around your house, no matter how little the amount, it’s good enough to serve as a breeding ground for pests. Pests only need three things to survive—food, water, and shelter. A water-damaged home will only make it worse since it has a higher moisture level that is enough for pests to breed and survive. Cockroaches, rodents, flies, bed bugs, and mosquitoes, among others, love damp places and anywhere near food scrap foods. Make sure you contact a professional EMS specialist for water extraction and restoration.
4. Structural damages
Water seepage can negatively affect the areas in your home in many ways, such as warped walls and ceilings, water stains, cracks, etc. Once these problems are ignored for a long time, they can also affect the value of your home, especially if you have plans on reselling it. Nobody wants to go home to a house that smells like their basement, right? Inspect areas that need immediate repairs like your walls, ceilings, and roof, and get the necessary repairs.
What can you do?
1. Mold restoration and removal
For mold infestation, there’s always room for mold restoration. During this process, a professional EMS specialist will inspect your house for signs of mold growth and use the right tools and equipment to dry the damp areas (e.g., walls, ceiling, floors). Remember that molds contaminate the air and make it toxic. Therefore, removing the contaminated areas is important to prevent mold growth recurrence in the future. If worse comes to worst, get water damage remediation in Olathe anytime to start the mitigation process right away.
2. Install a sump pump
If you want to reduce flooding and regulate the groundwater in your home, installing sump pumps is the way to go. This device pumps out the water from the saturated soil and redirects the collected water safely to areas that are away from your home. This is useful for you especially if your basement often gets flooded during rainy weather. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, more than 60 percent of American homes suffer from below-ground wetness. Always find ways to reduce the moisture levels in your home to avoid massive mold growth.
3. Maintain appliances
Your appliances can either make your daily tasks easy or the other way around. Just like any other device, your appliances also need maintenance and care. Washing machines and dishwashers use water to operate properly. But once leaks are observed, you must contact customer support right away or have them repaired by a local service shop. In grave cases, broken or faulty appliances could lead to serious water leaks and water damage. Be responsible and clean your appliances regularly to avoid further issues.
Know more about water damage
In most cases, water damage can affect both your health and even the value of your property. You don’t want such problems to coincide as it will cost you big time. Knowing how to mitigate the effects of water damage is important to avoid it in the first place. Change habits that lead to problems at home and make sure you get professional assistance once the water damage gets out of hand.
Apart from this, if you are interested to know more about Water Damage Restoration Company then visit our Home Improvement category.
