Water damage, especially when it comes to your home, is not something to take lightly. It can cause damage that worsens over time if left un-treated, and can cause side effects throughout the home. Due to the weather that San Diego has recently experienced, this is a good time to learn more about how water damage can affect one’s home.
Water Damage Over Time
Water is a liquid that conforms to the boundaries of its surroundings. Water will spread over large surface areas, increasing the size of the damage potential. When it comes to your home, and the components within your home, water can quickly ruin furniture. Furniture standing on carpets can stain the carpeting if left un-moved, and furniture that is sensitive to moisture can begin to turn white. Most furniture will swell after coming in contact with water, retaining moisture and increasing the humidity throughout the home. This can create a breeding ground for odor causing bacteria and mold.
After several days of of water damage, molds and fungi can appear. Wood flooring can swell and warp, leaving edges uprooted, and in most cases require complete replacement for all areas affected by the damage. Paint and wallpapering can bubble, blister, and peel, and leave dark spots. After prolonged exposure to moisture, materials such as wood, drywall, and fabrics begin to lose their integrity and start to break down. Certain areas of walls and flooring can feel soft to the touch, and will give out under slight amounts of pressure. Mold can grow to levels that are hazardous to human health, and may be cause for evacuation of the household. Weeks of untreated water damage may even require restructuring of the home to ensure its stability and integrity, which can cost quite a lot.
While these may be more specific examples, there are thousands of ways in which water damage can devastate your home. Within a few days, water damage can turn into microbial and mold issues, which can have an impact on the health of the people and pets living in the house.
Keep An Eye On The Weather
There is a possibility that the El Nino cold front could affect southern California this year, which would bring more cold winds and rain. Because of this it is important to be prepared and to take action should water compromise any areas of the house. Make sure to keep an eye on areas of your home that you might not notice on a daily basis, such as the attic and crawl spaces. These areas easily go unnoticed and typically attract moisture very easily, and can become breeding grounds for bacteria.
Given the above scenarios and facts, it is important to clean any water that comes into the home as quickly as possible. Letting water stand can cause massive damage to your home, and can quickly turn into a health issue. Most of the items listed above can typically be covered by you homeowners insurance policy, and it is important to work with a restorations company that is approved and knowledgeable in water damage restoration. Here at Clean Earth Restorations, we know how devastating water damage can be to a home, and we want to make sure you are armed with knowledge to know how and why water damage can be so devastating. For more information, check out some of our other blogs on water damage prevention and restoration. You can also give us a call at 619-284-4239 or contact us at cleanearthrestorations.com.
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