Water damage is something no homeowner really wants to deal with, but untreated water damage will cause you headaches, both literally and figuratively. Any time you’re unfortunate enough to experience a natural disaster or simply a broken pipe, you don’t want to wait to start fixing the problem. Little problems can quickly morph into big problems, both for your health and your home itself.
When it comes to your home, a variety of issues can occur if water damage is left untreated. For example, flooring, drywall, and overall home structure can become weakened and sometimes, ruined entirely. Wood beams can soak up water over time and damp wood is a breeding ground for mold. Ceilings are another space where hidden dangers lurk – it doesn’t take much for plaster to cave in or fall to pieces, possibly on your head.
Drywall can become discolored, brittle or warp and bubble, leaving behind permanent stains. No amount of paint is going to cover that, not to mention that behind the layers of paint, mold-infested water can stick around. Water can also get into concrete and become a hidden nightmare. When the weather gets cold, the water freezes and expands, causing cracks or worse a foundation that begins to break apart. If a flood occurs, the water can contain chemicals, minerals and contaminants that, when allowed to build up, can corrode pipes and cause leaks.
Your electrical system could also be compromised. Circuit breakers can be damaged, and fuse boxes can short out. In any case, if you ever suspect your electrical system has been impaired, it’s always best to call in the professionals lest you injure yourself trying to fix it.
All of these untreated water damage issues lead to a very significant concern that might not occur to you immediately in an emergency: lowered home value. You always want to get as much money as you can for your home. But if you haven’t fixed water damage quickly and properly, you could be fielding far lower offers than you wanted. Much like used cars, there are distinctive sights and smells that often accompany long-term water damage, and a home inspector will eventually figure that out.
As well as the problems your house can experience, there are also the health concerns for anyone living in a home when it comes to untreated water damage. Within 48 hours, mold and mildew can develop (even if you don’t physically see it for one to two weeks). Mold can cause respiratory problems, allergies, and headaches. And it’s not just a problem while the water is present – once contaminated water dries, it leaves behind a musty odor and as well as other dangerous residues.
Clean water is the ideal water damage to experience, as it comes from sewage-free faucets, sinks or household appliances, but if you don’t treat it quickly, it can fester and turn to grey or worse, black water. At that point you need professional assistance, because toxins, chemical and contaminates are not safe for the average person to handle. If you come into contact with black water (generally coming from natural disasters or sewage breaks), you will need to wash with lots of soap and hot water.
In addition to mold, these conditions attract all kinds of bugs and critters. Bugs just love standing water – if you’ve ever experienced being near a marsh in the middle of summer at dusk, you know that all the creatures come out to play. These insects will breed and infect the water, turning it hazardous to humans.
Whenever any type of water damage occurs, call in the professionals to mitigate the situation. They can help tackle it quickly and make sure that all of the damage is cleaned up and repaired. You may pay a little more than a DIY job, but you’ll end up saving a lot more in the end.