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Water damage happens extremely fast. When it is left alone for long periods of time, the destruction can be catastrophic and irreversible. It can come from a multitude of causes such as burst pipes, natural disasters, and faulty appliances. No matter the amount of water that comes in from a flood, it’s imperative to address it quickly to minimize the level of water damage.
Water can have several negative impacts on both our properties and health. Through this article, it will become abundantly clear why water damage is as bad as it is made out to be.
Wood is probably one of the most prevalent materials in your home. Your home is practically made of wood, including the frame, flooring, doors, cabinets, and most furniture. To say that your house can be impacted by water damage is an understatement. Unfortunately, wood is very absorbent, and water affects it severely. Water can cause the wood to rot, weaken, fall apart, and allow the formation of mold to grow. Because of this, there is not much you can do to fix it once it happens and everything affected will most likely have to be replaced.
Mold has one of the most alarming consequences of water damage there is. It can affect both a person’s health and their property. Mold begins its growth within the first 24 hours of the flood and will spread through the moisture in the air. It will eat any surface and weaken it as it grows. The mold that is left alone to grow and infest a home will compromise anything in its path. If the mold is not immediately taken care of, rampant mold growth could take over a house and, in extreme cases, cause the structure to be condemned.
In addition to damaging surfaces, it will also damage a person’s health and weaken their immune system. Health problems such as allergic reactions, asthma attacks, eye and/or skin irritation, irritated throats/nose, and lung problems are some of the most common health effects that can occur. Moreover, repeated and elongated mold exposure can increase one’s sensitivity, causing more severe allergic reactions. Exposure to certain molds that produce toxins called mycotoxins can cause more serious illnesses as well.
Wood that has soaked up water can attract all sorts of pests. Softer wood can equate to an easier home for bugs to nestle up in and lay their eggs. The types of bugs that moist environments attract include carpenter ants, termites, silverfish, beetles, roaches, etc. Carpenter ants and termites also devour this soft, rotting wood, making the structure hollow and weakening the structural integrity of a building.
Not only are insects attracted to water damage, but rats love damp areas as well. When there are leaks or excess water available in the home, this is seen as an oasis of sorts for rodents. They have access to this water to drink, as well as the food in the kitchen or storage area. If any of this water damage has been going on for a while without notice, it can be a long, difficult process to remove these pests.
No matter where the water damage is occurring in your home, it’s important to get the right people on the case to remedy the issue. It’s also crucial to get on top of the problem as soon as you notice it to minimize it. When you call the Professionals at Bostonian Cleaning, they will begin your water damage repair immediately and ensure that the job is done quickly and correctly.
