Blog Post

The Short- and Long-Term Effects of Water Damage

Ryker Bingham |  May 31, 2019

From plumbing leaks to natural disasters, there are various scenarios that can cause flooding in your Idaho home. Flooding in the home is frightening and can be much more devastating than you realize. In addition to the short-term effects that you might notice right away, there are also some long-term effects of flooding that you should be concerned about, too. It’s critical to hire a water damage restoration company as soon as possible. Some of the short-term and long-term effects of water damage that you might experience without proper water damage restorationare outlined here.

Water Damage Restoration

Damaged Belongings From Water Damage

The first problem that you might be concerned about when it comes to flooding in your home is damaged belongings. As you might already know, even minor flooding can lead to damaged or ruined furniture and other belongings.

If your home has recently been flooded, there is a good chance that at least some of your belongings will have to be thrown away. Before you start bagging everything up and hauling it off to be disposed of, though, you should contact a water damage restoration company like Standard Restoration.

In some cases, household belongings can be salvaged. For example, during the water damage restorationprocess, water is often removed from upholstered furniture in an effort to save that furniture from permanent damage. Sometimes, clothing and linens can be washed and salvaged. If dried in time, wooden furniture can sometimes be restored after flooding, too.

Unsanitary Conditions

It’s not a good idea to enter your flooded home without having it cleaned up properly and thoroughly first. Otherwise, you could be exposing yourself and your family to unsanitary conditions.

For example, in many cases, household flooding that is related to plumbing problems is caused by sewer-related issues. This means that wastewater could be present throughout your home. Exposing yourself and your family to this sewage could put you at serious risk of getting sick. A professional team will be able to wear the proper clothing and take the right steps to remove this waste so that your home will be safe and sanitary again.

Even if the flood damage in your home is not related to a plumbing problem, the conditions inside your home could still be unsanitary. Floodwater can put you and your family at risk of disease, and there may be chemical hazards that you have to be worried about, too.

Electrical Damage

It’s no secret that water and electricity don’t mix, but you might not have even thought about the electrical dangers and damage that could be present in your home after a flood. If water has gotten into your electrical outlets or if electrical wires or cords are submerged in water, for example, it could be very dangerous for you and your family to enter your home. You’ll need to have the floodwater cleaned up and to have your home checked out to make sure that it’s safe. You may also have to hire an electrician to come in and make any necessary repairs.

Unpleasant Odors

Flooded homes often have unpleasant odors that can be hard to get rid of. When you first walk into your flooded home after a natural disaster, you might notice a strong or subtle musty odor in the home. Simply using an air freshener or lighting a candle will not be enough to mask the smell. Having your home thoroughly cleaned after a flood is essential if you want to truly get rid of these unpleasant odors.

Mold Growth From Water Damage

Mold thrives in moist, humid environments. Even if you don’t see it right away, there is a very good chance that mold spores could be growing in your flooded home. Many people think that they have cleaned their homes up well enough that mold is not going to be a problem; however, mold spores can grow in cracks and crevices, under flooring, behind your walls and more. It’s difficult -- if not impossible -- for the average person to get rid of all of the mold spores and completely prevent a mold growth problem after household flooding has been a problem.

Mold can damage your belongings and put your family at risk, particularly if someone in your family has asthma or other respiratory issues. It is essential that you contact a mold remediationcompany to remove mold, particularly if someone in the home has an underlying health issue.

Structural Damage

The structural damage that is associated with flooding can happen both in the short term and the long term. It won’t take very long for you to notice flooring and wall damage, for example. However, as time goes on, a water-logged home that hasn’t been cleaned and repaired properly can be subject to much more serious structural damage.

If the wood underneath your flooring or in your walls gets wet, it can begin to slowly rot over time. As this happens, you have to worry about your flooring caving in or your walls not being strong and sturdy. Depending on the extent of the damage, your home might not even be safe for your family because of this structural damage.

Proper cleanup from the beginning is critical if you want to prevent serious structural damage. Some of your home’s structural components may have to be replaced completely, while others can potentially be repaired. Addressing these concerns right away can help you reduce the cost of repairing your home and can help you make sure that your home is structurally safe for you and your family.

Loss of Value for Your Home

If your home is flooded due to a natural disaster, you could face a serious loss of value for your property. If your area is reassessed and found to be a flood zone, this could impact your home’s value significantly. Even if this does not happen, having flood damage in the home that has not been properly addressed and repaired can cause your home to be worth much less.

To maintain your home’s value even after a flood or leak, having any water damage repaired by a professional is critical. Save the paperwork related to these repairs so that you will have proof that your home was adequately and properly repaired after the flood. This could mean the difference between selling your home easily when the time comes or struggling to find a buyer.

Major flooding is not required for you to see these effects. Even minor leakage can lead to a lot of damage if it isn’t addressed promptly and fully. For best results, call Standard Restoration today to find out more about our water damage restorationservices.

Share by: