As a homeowner, I know that one thing I worry about is water damage. There are so many health effects associated to water damage. A simple leak can cause serious issues for your family.
CAUSES OF WATER DAMAGE
Causes of water damage range from clogged toilets, leaky dishwashers or faucets, broken pipes or hoses, leaky roofs or plumbing, and foundation cracks. Inclement weather that brings with it heavy rains or snowfall are usually a precursor to basement flooding. When water enters your home, it can quickly damage your flooring, furniture, electronics, household appliances and more.
Bathrooms are known to be the leading places to find water damage as it is the main room in the house that the most water flows through. Always check under your sinks, around the toilets, on the ceiling, and in the shower for mold growth.
As soon as you see water damage, it is imperative that you begin the cleaning process. The longer the water sits, the more damage it could eventually cause and the higher the risk of mold growth, which is extremely expensive to remediate.
WATER DAMAGE TIMELINE
It doesn’t take long before water begins to damage your home. Within minutes of impact, water will swell paper goods and start to discolor furniture. Wait a few hours and if the water reaches drywall, the drywall will start to soak up the water. Musty odors may start to be noticeable. If not taken care of within days, the clear water may turn into grey water and indoor air quality becomes compromised. Everything happens rather quickly, as does the importance of proper action to stop the water damage!
HOW WATER DAMAGE COULD AFFECT YOUR HEALTH
Moisture promotes the growth of mold and other organisms that can lead to health problems down the road. Allergies and asthma can be aggravated, and there is an increased risk of respiratory illnesses. If water gets into your home and has a chance to settle, mold may develop. That is the time that the homeowner needs to call in specialists to remediate – remove all portions of the home (whether it is drywall or flooring, etc.) to rid it of the mold.
Water damage cannot only ruin your furniture, walls and personal belongings in your home; it can affect your health. It is extremely important to call in professionals to ensure a safe home. My best practice is to search for a professional online by typing what I am looking for, along with my location. For example, if I lived in Toronto, I would type “water damage Toronto” and a list of companies would appear. Take care to protect your home and your health!
Have you experienced water damage? What did you do to protect yourself and your home?
ashley says
water damage sounds so scary! I hope I don’t ever run into the problem.
Dana says
It is scary, Ashley! I didn’t realize the health implications and that was the most eye-opening for me!
Ryan says
Great post! Dealing with water damage can be pretty scary, because then you might be dealing with mold and that have lots of impact to it. Thanks for sharing!
Dana says
Exactly! The mold scares me to the most. Mold can lead to health issues and more.
Heather says
Water damage is definitely an issue to take care of before it reaches extreme levels. Once the musty odors begin to take effect, you’ve waited too long and it’ll probably cost more to restore.
Yoshiko Flora says
I felt worried when you said that floors, furniture, electronics, and household appliances can get damaged after water gets into a home. When you said that, it convinced me to find a restoration service for my uncle as soon as possible. That way, they can help him get rid of the snow that buried his vacation cabin and preserve all his wooden decor.
Dana says
Exactly – you are a great family member to help your uncle out!