Millions of Americans must deal with the adverse effects of water damage to their home or property each year. Thousands will find that if they had been proactive and fixed the restorations right away, it would have been cheaper in the end or, in extreme cases, they would have saved their residence. Water damage is one of the leading causes of property loss in the United States. It is vital that homeowners are able to identify potential water damage and more importantly, find experienced and certified professionals to assess the damage and restore their home. There are several hazards associated with water damage that can put property and residents at risk. The severity of water damage is often underestimated, leading to one of several unfortunate scenarios discussed later. There are also several health risks that will also be addressed that owners should be aware of. The goal of this article is to reinforce the absolute importance of hiring an experienced and knowledgeable team to survey any water damage immediately after it is discovered by residents.

There are several causes of water damage, each of which carries a different severity and set of risks. Malfunctioning appliances have been known to cause damage and vary in severity depending on details such as the nature of the appliance and its location. Dishwashers and washing machines can leak or overflow and cause damage. Broken pipes or cracks in a home’s foundation can cause water to collect in unseen places, often going unnoticed until water stains appear on the walls or ceiling. Broken sump pumps and overflowing toilets are a common cause of water damage and can be among the most dangerous. Natural disasters and bad weather are some of the most destructive causes of water damage and are largely unpreventable with routine maintenance. No matter what the cause, raw water damage can lead to massive expenses and headaches for homeowners and that is why it is important to understand the damage risks associated with these occurrences.

Many homeowners are not aware of just how damaging household water-related disasters can be. Many times simply fixing a leak or the source of the water is not enough to solve many unforeseen problems. When wood is exposed to water for a long time, it can start to rot and damage the structural integrity of a house. Often times, large sections of affected wood must be replaced to prevent further collapse that can occur months or even years after initial contact. Water can also cause delamination of home building materials, which can also compromise structural integrity, often resulting in a higher price down the road. The severity of water damage is often underestimated simply because water can seep into unseen places and cause damage in areas only an expert would know to check. Many homeowners won’t call in the experts soon enough because they don’t want to pay for restoration, which ends up costing much more than the initial repairs. If the damage is severe enough that the residence is deemed unfit to live in, it can result in total loss of ownership. Because some forms of water damage are not covered by standard insurance policies, they can also cause a loss of the primary investment in the home. It is important to have an insurance policy that covers flood damage in areas that are prone to flooding because flood damage repairs can often be quite expensive. Some areas that are vulnerable to flash flooding include Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, and the surrounding area. In many cases, hesitating to call in an experienced water damage restoration contractor can not only cost residents more money, it can also affect your health and the health of your family.

There are numerous health risks associated with water damage that many people may not be aware of. A common hazard associated with water damage, especially in hidden locations, is the growth of toxic mold. There are countless strains of mold that can grow in affected areas, posing a serious health risk to humans. Many short-term effects are quite unpleasant, such as fatigue, cough, and skin rashes. The long-term effects of mold can be much scarier than the short-term, as long-term exposure to mold has been linked to several different cancers and serious, possibly life-threatening infections. In addition to mold, water damage can bring humans into contact with a variety of extremely harmful microorganisms that can cause serious illness and even death. Water leaks inside a house are classified into three categories. Category 1 consists of water from the water supply lines. This may be a broken or leaking supply line or the malfunction of an appliance that is fed from one of these lines. Category 1 water is considered relatively clean and poses little risk to health. Category 2 water, often referred to as “grey water,” can carry microorganisms and often backs up due to sump pump failure or failures of dishwashers or similar appliances. Category 3 water poses serious health risks to humans and carries a variety of fungi, bacteria, viruses and other life-threatening microbes. This water contains residual water accumulated in septic tanks or toilets or could come from groundwater, nearby bodies of water or standing surface water. Due to the potential health risks associated with the latter categories, it is important to have the seriousness of the situation assessed by a professional.

In conclusion, water damage can be a very serious problem for a variety of different reasons. Untreated damage can lead to high future repair costs or even total loss of property and investment, as some damage is not covered by insurance. Damage can bring with it unforeseen health risks that can vary in severity depending on the category of water. For many people, a home is the largest investment they will ever make. It is important for homeowners to protect their investment and call an expert at the first sign of water damage. Houses can often be replaced, but families cannot. It’s also vital that homeowners don’t put their families’ health at risk by trying to categorize and assess the dangers of home disasters on their own. Calling in a certified water damage restoration expert is the safest way to restore your home after a disaster has struck. Don’t take chances with your home or your health, call an expert, it could be the most important call you’ve ever made.