Understanding Secondary Damage From Water Intrusions

Water damage causes a range of problems for a home. The immediate damage may be apparent, but the secondary damage can be harder to detect and address. Secondary damage can have serious consequences, including health risks and structural damage.

Mold Growth After Water Damage

Mold flourishes in moisture-rich settings. As a result, it can quickly spread after a home suffers water damage. Mold exposure causes severe health problems. Respiratory issues and allergic reactions are the most common. However, some individuals may develop intense headaches from this exposure. The home must be dried and sanitized quickly to reduce the mold threat. Furthermore, effective mold remediation involves more than cleaning contaminated surfaces. There are many small crevices and other hard-to-reach areas where mold may grow. These areas require specialized tools to dry and sanitize.

Warping and Swelling of Flooring or Walls

The flooring or walls may be susceptible to warping after significant water damage occurs. This damage occurs when water seeps into porous materials, which causes them to expand. Warping and swelling can be unsightly, but it also leads to structural damage. The pressure from this swelling can cause wood planks to split and crack. A professional water damage restoration service has moisture extraction systems that can minimize the amount of warping floors and walls experience.

Plumbing Problems Caused by Water Damage

Depending on the extent of the water intrusion, the plumbing system could be affected. In particular, the flood water could seep into the pipes. This may contaminate your water supply and lead to overflowing plumbing fixtures in other areas of the home. A comprehensive water quality test and plumbing assessment are needed after significant water damage. These evaluations can alert you to this contamination and the need for major plumbing repairs.

Structural Damage Caused by Water Damage

Water damage can cause severe structural damage to a house. Water seeping into the foundation, floors, or other structural components can cause concrete cracks and wooden supports to warp. This damage has the potential to render the house unsafe for occupation. Some of this damage may not be easy to identify until major complications occur. For example, foundation damage could take time to become severe enough to cause noticeable issues. However, if the foundation concrete starts to crack from this damage, it could rapidly worsen once problems become evident. These issues may develop in the months following the water damage, and you will want to be vigilant regarding potential warning signs of structural problems.

Call a water restoration company for professional advice. 

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