Water Damage

3/5/2018 (Permalink)

When moisture sits, it soaks in to floors, walls, and more

There are many types of ways water can cause damage.

Water has a way of getting places you never thought, and causing damage in ways you weren't expecting. When pipes burst and a home is flooded, or hit with a plumbing disaster (like a burst pipe), the situation can quickly get out of hand. This is why these incidents are among the most expensive problems a homeowner can face. Contaminated water not only creates immediate structural problems, it can leave serious biological threats behind after it has been removed. Drying out the affected area is very critical and must be done thoroughly and in a timely manner.

Category three water is water that is grossly contaminated. It can cause severe illness or death if ingested.  Its sources include sewer backup, flooding, toilet overflow with feces, and stagnant liquid that has begun to support bacterial growth.

Dirty water is filled with all kinds of deadly substances, ranging from chemical residues to animal feces to parasites. Bacteria, viruses and fungi grow explosively in contaminated fluid, and severe health risks, like salmonella and hepatitis, are common in flood waters.

This problem is compounded by the composition of most homes, which are filled with organic materials. Drywall, wood and the matter that is trapped in carpet fibers are just a few examples, and they can give pathogens room to grow. Within 48 hours, mold may begin creeping behind the walls and releasing spores, and any organic materials that have been soaked through by contaminated fluid will usually have to be destroyed.