Some may argue that water damage is the most common form of damage found in residential homes and commercial buildings simply because it's very easy for leaky pipes to go unnoticed. When a building experiences water damage, cleaning up and restoring the area is a process that, depending on the damage, can take some time to complete. If the damage isn’t addressed the right way it could lead to mold and further structural damage, resulting in an even longer restoration process.
There are several different reasons why water restoration should be dealt with by a professional in order to prevent continuing damage and to keep your home and family safe from unstable structures and contaminated water.
Assessing the Risk
The extent of water damage can, often times, be deceiving as much of the water gets absorbed into porous materials such as drywall, insulation, wood, and flooring. If the moisture is not completely dry, it can lead to the formation of mold and mildew causing further damage and potential health problems. Trained restoration technicians are able to identify structures that have been weakened by the water and warn you when the infrastructure is unstable. Professional water restoration companies also have access to state of the art equipment which aids in structural drying and the elimination of moisture.
Contaminated Water
Water damage, especially flooding can make a mess of things, but do you know what’s really in the water? A water restoration company has the ability to test hazardous materials that are found in the water such as sewage, oil, lead, and gasoline, among many others. Not knowing how to properly clean up these hazardous materials can be extremely dangerous and lead to further damage and even health issues. In general, the United States maintains a very high public water standard and is deemed one of the world’s safest source of public drinking water. However, in the case of a flood, there is no way of visually determining what may be present in the water without taking a sample and processing the results. Excess water could contain sewage, microorganisms, and harmful bacteria, which is why it is best to avoid flood water at all cost and leave the clean up to the professionals.
Salvaging
Most reputable water restoration companies are able to respond to the issue within hours of your initial call and can help contain the damage in order to prevent it from spreading. Water damage always seems to happen when you least expect it, which can lead to the devastating loss of your possessions. Professional restoration companies are able to determine which items can be salvaged, dried out, repaired, and restored so they are safe to use once again.
While hiring a professional to clean up any water damage may seem like a costly expense, in the long run, it often saves money. Leaving the clean up to a professional can prevent water from becoming absorbed into other materials (that may not be noticeable to the untrained eye) and prevent the formation of mold. Cleaning it up correctly the first time can save you the time and money of having to repeat the process in the future.
Mold
One of the primary concerns after experiencing water damage of any kind is mold growth. Mold spores are found everywhere, including the air we breathe. Mold requires four main elements in order to grow: air, temperature, food, and water. Exposing your family to mold spores can be extremely dangerous to their overall health as it impacts and can worsen existing respiratory issues and at times can even become deadly, which is why it’s important to address any water damage issues right away.
Broken sewage lines, stagnant water, and flooding of any kind can create unsafe conditions that can be hazardous to your home and family. When you experience water damage of any kind it’s best to leave the cleanup to the professionals to avoid costly mistakes and prevent further damage from occurring.