Negative Effects of Water Damage in Your Home

9/21/2021 (Permalink)

Gone unchecked, stray water can bring about the negative effects of water damage in your home.

One of the reasons why water damage in your home is so harmful is because water is known as a solvent — it dissolves more substances than any other liquid. And in your home, it can dissolve major structural parts and leave behind some really terrible effects. Here are six of the most common negative effects of water damage in your home:

Devalued Property

The signs of water damage are difficult to hide. They’ll usually reveal themselves to any appraiser even if you attempt to patch affected areas or paint over the stains. Also, when the water’s left untreated, a repellent smell can linger which will probably turn buyers away. 

Structural Damage  

Structural damage occurs depending on the amount of water surrounding the affected area. Drywall begins to deteriorate and the subfloor can easily warp or even split, meaning you’ll end up replacing and restoring the affected areas. Even solid materials that foundations are made of, whether masonry, concrete, or stone, can soak up small amounts of water through their cracks and pores. Unless these pockets of water are removed, they can create defects in the building foundation that eventually weaken the entire structure.

Mold

If you’ve ever owned a home and experienced leaking or flooding, you already know that one of the worst effects of water damage is the growth of mold afterward. Any presence of water with the right temperature can cause mold to begin growing in as quickly as 48 hours. Once the mold is present, it can be very difficult and expensive to treat and remove. Also, if mold is left untreated it can spread and can cause adverse health effects. 

Electrical Damage

Once electrical systems are damaged by moisture, wiring, outlets, and electrical boxes become unsafe to use until they’re professionally inspected. Electrical water damage usually occurs to kitchen appliances, washing machines, dryers, hot water tanks, furnaces, and low-mounted electrical outlets.

Health Hazards 

A home or business exposed to floodwater is susceptible to harmful bacteria and other microbes. If not treated correctly, toxins will linger on your affected furniture, carpets, and inside your HVAC system long after the water has dried. Those bacteria and microbes can cause serious respiratory issues and other health effects. 

Damaged Personal Items 

The same water that causes structural damage can quickly destroy many personal items including photographs, books, electronics, and personal documents, among other items. However, if you act quickly and call in a water damage expert, you may be able to reverse this negative effect of water damage and save many of your personal items.

As you can see, when water damage occurs in your home, immediate action is needed. That way, you can mitigate the negative effects of water damage and minimize cleaning and restoration costs.