When water floods your property, the damage can be devastating. Water damages the entire infrastructure of a building, destroying walls and floors. Flooding can also destroy your possessions and ruin expensive and sentimental valuables. These are just the apparent damages of flooding. There are also hidden damages. That is why when your property floods, you should always work with a certified professional water damage remediation team.
Here are the hidden risks that you may face as a result of water damage.
1. Microbes And Toxins
There are three types of flood waters. First is clean water which is generally pretty safe. Clean water flooding is usually from a broken faucet. The second type of floodwater is gray water. Gray water is a type of wastewater. Gray water flooding is usually from broken washing machines or broken wastewater pipes. This water is not very safe because it contains some microbes and toxins, so it is best to exercise caution. Finally, there is black water. Black water is highly contaminated water. It can contain microbes, heavy metals, and toxins. Black water is typically from backed-up sewage or extreme weather events. Even when the black water has receded it can leave behind these microbes like bacteria, mold spores, and viruses. Professional cleaning and disinfectant by water damage remediation experts is the only want to protect yourself from these micro hazards.
2. Pests
No one loves water damage more than household pests. Insects love moisture, Moisture creates the perfect breeding grounds. When water damage goes untreated it creates the ideal conditions for bug infestations. Insects like silverfish, cockroaches, and earwigs will be attracted to your home and once they move in, it’s really hard to get them out. Insects aren’t the only pests attracted to water damage. Rodents like rats and mice are also attracted to places with lots of moisture and a consistent source of water. Removing the moisture is the only way to prevent the bugs.
3. Electrical Damage
Water and electrical systems do not mix. In floods, there are often fires caused by the water hitting the electrical systems. Even in cases where there isn’t a fire from the flooding, water is extremely corrosive. When delicate electrical parts are submerged in water for a long time they can start to degrade, corrode, and rust. This can lead to further risks of fire and interoperability down the line. After any flood, you must have your electrical system fully inspected and tested by a certified electrician or water damage remediation expert to prevent this hidden risk.
Floods can leave a lot of destruction in their wake. Most of this destruction can be seen with the naked eye. However, there is also hidden damage from flooding that can place your risk at home if they are not mitigated. Working with a professional water damage remediation team like Bright Side Restoration is the only way to ensure your home is safe from these risks. During and after cleanup, water damage remediation experts do a full inspection of the damage and implement strategies to prevent these hidden risks.