Water damage is one of the most destructive issues that can impact your home or business. Whether it’s caused by a leaking faucet, broken pipes, a backed-up sewer line, or flooding, water damage can potentially cause serious issues to your property if you don’t address it quickly.
When not properly addressed, water damage can wreak havoc on your property within 24 hours, and the damage will only get worse over time without professional water remediation. For this reason, it’s critical that you act quickly anytime you detect water damage in your home or business.
Moisture affects floors, walls, furniture, and other items quickly. Once this occurs, it can be challenging to dry it properly on your own; most people simply don’t have the proper equipment. It’s important to have a water damage restoration professional handle this task for you to prevent serious problems from developing.
Potential Issues Associated with Water Damage
Untreated water damage can result in a variety of serious issues to your property, including:
- Damage to ceilings and walls
- Destruction of carpet and carpet pad
- Warped hardwood floors
- Corrosion of pipes and plumbing systems
- Electrical damage
- Structural damage
- Mold growth
- Health risks
Ultimately, these issues can potentially result in the devaluation of the property.
Damage to Ceilings and Walls
Most walls and ceilings are made from drywall, and its structural integrity will be compromised when exposed to water, causing it to become soft, weak, and mold prone. If you notice cracks, discoloration, or warped areas on your walls and ceilings, it’s a sign that water damage has occurred. When left untreated, the damaged drywall can also become a breeding ground for mold.
The only way to fix drywall that has suffered water damage is to cut out the impacted areas and replace them. This will not only restore the drywall to its pre-damaged condition, but also prevent mold from growing and spreading throughout the building.
Destruction of Carpet and Carpet Pad
Your carpet and carpet pad act like a sponge and can soak up a tremendous amount of water. If you don’t dry the carpet properly, it will break down, causing the pad to detach from the floor and become bumpy. Wet carpet is also an optimal breeding ground for mold.
Once your carpet becomes seriously damaged by water, you won’t be able to save it. Instead, you’ll need to completely replace it which can be very expensive.
Warped Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are porous. When exposed to water, they will soak it up and moisture will spread throughout the floor. This will cause your floors to warp and buckle. If the water damage becomes too extensive, you’ll need to replace the floors and, depending on the extent of the damage, the subfloor too.
In addition, excessive or long-term water damage to hardwood floors can cause the wood to rot, creating safety hazards. Mold can also grow on the wood, creating additional problems to address.
Corrosion of Pipes and Plumbing Systems
Water damage can cause pipes to rust and corrode. Corrosion to your pipes creates a vicious cycle – when leaks form, it causes additional water damage. If these leaks form in your sewage pipes, it will create an even bigger (and stinkier) problem.
Repairing leaking pipes or extensive damage to your plumbing system can be very expensive. To avoid these issues, it’s critical to address water damage or corroded pipes right away.
Electrical System Damage
Water damage can result in serious problems to your electrical system. When electrical wiring, outlets, or fuse boxes are exposed to water, it can cause a short circuit to your entire electrical system. In some instances, it can even cause a fire.
Never handle electrical components or use power outlets that have been exposed to water. This can cause an electrical shock that may potentially result in serious injury. Instead, call a professional electrician to address the problem.
Structural Damage
Water damage can weaken the structural integrity of your home or business. This is particularly true after flooding when the amount of water in the building is extensive. Some of the most common ways you may experience structural damage include:
- Wooden structural members inside your walls and floors will absorb water and over time will begin to rot if it isn’t properly dried
- Water can break through concrete, creating cracks in the foundation that leave your home or business structurally unsound
- Water can cut through many other materials found inside a building, making them weaker and impacting the structural integrity of the building
Mold Growth
Moist environments create optimal conditions for mold to grow. As a result, mold is one of the most common issues associated with water damage. Mold spores can enter your home or business in a myriad of ways, and they can begin growing rampantly on wet surfaces within 24-48 hours. When left untreated, mold can ruin furniture, appliances, and surfaces such as floors, tiles, walls and ceilings. In addition, it can potentially result in health issues for individuals with mold allergies.
In order to effectively remove mold from your property, you’ll need to work with a licensed, professional mold remediation company. Mold remediation requires specialized tools and cleaning products. In addition, it’s important to perform mold testing after all remediation has been completed to make sure the building is safe. This must be done by a professional.
Health Risks
Water damage can result in a variety of health and safety risks, including:
- Mold growth that can cause respiratory issues in individuals with asthma or mold allergies
- Toxic contaminants, bacteria, and chemical pollutants from floodwater that can cling to walls and floors even after the water dries, causing recurring illness
- Rotting surfaces that can create safety hazards and increase the risk of injury
- Rusty water from corroded pipes which can result in health issues if it’s consumed
Devaluation of Property
Very few things lower your property value as much as water damage and the mold growth that is commonly associated with it. While you might think that it’s easier to sell your home or business than pay for costly water damage restoration services, you’ll most likely find that you’re not able to get fair market value if it has water damage.
If water damage isn’t properly addressed, it will result in a variety of issues that will be noted during the inspection. This will either result in a lower sale price or, in cases of extensive damage, it may even make your property unsellable. To protect your property value and the investment you’ve made, it’s important to address water damage right away.
Comprehensive Water Damage Restoration Services by JRCC Damage Restoration Experts
Due to the serious issues that can occur as a result of water damage, it’s critical that you have this issue handled by a professional. At JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, we can restore your property to its pre-damaged state and prevent additional problems from arising in the future.
Our team has been providing comprehensive water damage restoration services for homes and businesses in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area since 1954. Our response teams are fully trained and have the background necessary to address any water damage issue you may have – from minor problems to extensive flood damage. We take pride in providing fast, courteous, and effective service that is unparalleled throughout the industry.
Our team will handle every aspect of the water damage restoration process. We’ll use professional grade fans to dry out the building, pull out all furniture and other contents to dry it and prevent mold growth, and address all causes of your water damage. Our team will perform moisture level testing and mold testing to make sure your building is safe. In the event that mold growth has occurred, we’ll use specialized tools and sanitizing agents to get rid of the mold and ensure it doesn’t grow back.
In most instances, water damage restoration work will be covered by insurance, making it an easy choice to have these important services performed by a trained professional who will ensure they’re done correctly. When you work with JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, you’ll have peace of mind that every stage of the process will be handled properly, and your property will be restored to its pre-damaged state.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. JRCC Damage Restoration Experts provides residential and commercial water damage restoration services in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area.