Untreated Water Damage is Dangerous to Home and Health Rochester, NY

Occasionally we find ourselves with customers who have had water damage for a very long time and left it untreated because they assumed it wasn’t a very big deal. What’s worst that could happen? Water just dries up and goes away, right? WRONG! Any home that has untreated water damage will have to telltale signs. You can try to paint over the stains, but a home appraiser will be able to see, and in some cases smell, other symptoms of untreated water damage. This means your house will be priced much lower than you might have otherwise hoped, and far fewer people will be interested in buying.

Weakens the Structural Integrity of Your Home

Wood turns into a sponge when it’s exposed to water. Because of this, the wooden structure inside your walls and floors will keep absorbing water. Over time, this water will soak through the rest of your home.

Even a small amount of water on your floor can seep all the way up to your ceiling.

If left untreated, this damp wood will start to rot, which causes a number of problems. Not only does it create a health hazard for anyone living in the house, but it also weakens the wood and, in turn, the structural integrity of the home.

But water damage can damage the foundation of a house as well.

Even a slow drip of water can break through concrete if left alone. This can create cracks in your foundation, making your entire home structurally unsound.

Ruins Your Electrical Systems

If your outlets, fuse boxes, or electrical wiring get exposed to water, they can pose a serious risk for the safety of you, your family, and your home. Instead of dealing with water damage, you might end up with a dangerous fire on your hands.

You should always hire a professional to examine any electrical components that touched any amount of water. Don’t use your power outlets or lights until a professional comes to your house.

It’s not worth the risk.

Destroys Your Walls and Ceilings

The walls and ceilings of your home are built with drywall, which doesn’t hold up to water very well.

When drywall gets wet, it warps, forms bubbles, becomes brittle, and starts to discolor. And it’s not a matter of repainting over the damage. The only way to fix water damaged drywall is to cut out the ruined sections and replace them.

But a sloppy appearance isn’t the only threat of water damaged drywall.

If you don’t take care of the problem, the drywall will become a breeding ground for all different types of mold. This can quickly turn into a health hazard than can send you or your family to the hospital.

Corrodes the Plumbing and Pipes

Aren’t pipes designed to withstand flowing water?

Yes, but floodwater often contains chemicals and other contaminants that react with your pipes. This can cause them to weaken and, over time, corrode.

And this corrosion starts a vicious cycle.

Once your pipes corrode, they can form leaks. These leaks will make your water damage problem worse, which can lead to even more leaks. And if your sewage pipes start to leak, you’ll have an even more serious problem on your hands.

Trying to repair all these leaks can get expensive. It’s a better idea to take care of any water damage right away before it has a chance to make anything worse.

Breaks Down Carpet

If your carpet soaks up too much water and doesn’t have a chance to dry out, it will start to break down. This means the padding underneath the carpet will detach from the floor and become bumpy and warped.

The entire carpet can then start to mold.

And you can’t save the carpet once it’s this far gone. Instead, you’ll have to rip it out and replace it with something new, which can cost a lot of money.

Warps Your Hardwood Floors

Remember, wood acts like a sponge when it comes to water. If you have wood flooring, it will suck up the water and spread it through the rest of the house. The water will keep spreading until you clean up the water damage.

When wood floors get wet, they warp and buckle. If they absorb too much damage, you won’t be able to save them.

Lowers the Value of Your Home

Dealing with all this water damage can get exhausting and expensive, so you might decide to forget the damage and sell your home instead. But water damage greatly lowers the value of your home.

Even if you choose to sell your home, you won’t make nearly as much as you should from the sale.

In many cases, it’s better to repair the water damage before you sell. Although this will cost more money, you’ll also make more money in the long run.

Turns into a Serious Health Hazard

Even if the water damage doesn’t lead to mold or weaken the structural integrity of your home, it still poses a health hazard.

Floodwaters carry a bunch of nasty contaminants, including chemical pollutants, toxic waste, sewage, bacteria, etc. Once these things get inside your home, they’ll cling to the walls and floors even when the water dries up.

These contaminate can make your house smell terrible but, more importantly, they can cause some serious health problems if not cleaned up right away.

Why It’s Never a Good Idea to Leave Water Damage Untreated

Leaving water damage untreated can cause serious structural problems to your home and create harmful health risks for you and your family. If your home has sustained any type of water damage, you should contact a professional right away.

Make Sure You’re Comfortable With The Water Damage Restoration Company

Craftsman Home Remodeling can completely restore your home as if  your problem never happened. Tools and equipment and know-how are important, but personality matters, as well. The mold remediation Company and the people he or she works with will be in your home or business, possibly for several days – depending on the extent of the problem. You want people you can trust and feel comfortable with, and you can find them by taking the time to locate the right water damage restoration Contractor to handle your job.