Even a little bit of water can cause a lot of damage. Sometimes, when dealing with a water emergency, it’s hard to know if your mess warrants a call to the professionals. Let’s highlight some things to know about water damage that may help you in your decision making.
Consider the Amount & Type of Water Damage
Once you have found the source of the damage and the water is off, assess the situation. If the water is cleaned up easily with no other apparent damage, then you can clean up, wait for drying, and call the necessary professionals for any needed repairs to broken materials.
Greywater is water from utilities like sinks, tubs, showers, or dishwashers and is considered mildly contaminated. Black water refers to the water used to flush toilets that mixes with human waste. This type of water can contain contaminants like parasites, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Contact with this type of water is considered highly hazardous as it can pose serious health risks including hepatitis A and encephalitis.
Standing water can become or may already be contaminated with bacteria. This can quickly become a dangerous situation. Mold and floodwater must also be treated with caution. Proper drying and thorough sanitation are necessary. In these scenarios it is recommended that you call professional services to help with drying, cleaning, sanitizing, and mold prevention. Acting promptly in these situations is vital to avoid further damage.
Consider Time & Future Risks
Time is critical in minimizing damage. Water seeps quickly and easily into walls, floors, and textiles. After damage, many of the home’s porous materials will retain water, running the risk of mold growth, warping, or breakage.
Water damage left undetected or not cleaned up properly can cause big problems like health hazards, structural safety, and high costs for repairs. What seems like an easy cleanup can turn into a major project. In short, the effects of water damage can be devastating. Early detection and quick action are critical.
Consider the Health & Safety Risks
When flooding occurs, water can carry with it chemicals, toxins, and bacteria that can be harmful. Water and warm surfaces can cause bacteria to grow and flourish. This can become a serious health issue if not addressed immediately.
Pests can become a problem when there is moisture. Bugs seek out wet areas to lay their eggs. Hatching eggs and dying bugs can spread bacteria or bring in more bugs. Cracks and holes from water damage can also attract bugs, as they are perfect breeding grounds for roaches, mosquitos, and more.
Consider What the
Experts Can Do
For water emergencies, there are services available. Providers are often referred to as water mitigation, water remediation, flood clean-up, water abatement, water extraction, or water removal. These terms are all equivalent and refer to professionals who are called in to clean-up and prevent future damage.
They work to treat or reverse damage caused by unwanted water accumulation and restore a home to livable, pre-damage conditions. It includes the complete process of water cleanup, including water removal, decontamination, drying or disposal of items and structures, and moving items back into place.
Water damage restoration experts know exactly what to look for and have the proper tools for identifying the extent of the damage. They will be able to address areas of concern safely and quickly, avoiding possible hazards and further damage in the future.
Often, personal belongings become damaged during a water emergency. Most water damage companies will arrive as quickly as possible to minimize damage to your property and belongings. They can also help you determine which items can be restored and which will need to be discarded.
Too often, people make the mistake of thinking water damage can be cleaned up on their own, only to have further damage and cost down the road. Be sure to assess your situation carefully, and know what the risks of DIY look like. If you have questions, our team of experts are always happy to take your call and guide you through the process.
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