Potential Dangers Associated With Water Damage

If you attempt to handle water damage repair in your Trumbull home on your own, you could be taking on some major risks. In fact, there are some serious dangers associated with water damage that can result from not performing water damage repair correctly or in a timely manner. Some of the risks you take when performing DIY water damage repair include failing to realize the potential hazards involved with the cleanup process, not completely removing and drying the water, and poorly cleaning and disinfecting the damaged area. 

Water Damage Repair Trumbull

Here are some of the most serious dangers associated with water damage that you need to be aware of:

Mold Growth

You must consider that mold damage will also be a problem whenever there has been water damage – especially if repair has not begun right away. After being exposed to water for 24 hours, mold can start to grow. Everyone in the house is seriously at risk for health problems if there is mold growing inside. Coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, and other respiratory issues are just some of the typical signs of mold exposure. When performing water damage cleanup, you risk exposing yourself to mold, which is why having the correct equipment and personal protective gear is very important.

Electrical Issues

Electricity and water should not be combined. Electrical shock risk may rise if wiring has come into contact with water, or been exposed to water for a prolonged time. Power should be turned off to the affected location whenever water damage has occurred. You could expose yourself to electrical risks and dangers that could be lethal if you lack the necessary training and experience with water damage.

Structural Weakness

Even after all the visible water has been removed and dried up, there may still be moisture trapped in the building materials of your home. On contact, materials like wood and drywall will absorb moisture, which can result in swelling, warping, buckling, and other forms of degradation. Damage to the structure may necessitate further repairs, which would raise the cost of restoring your home. You can prevent any potential structural damage and deterioration by ensuring skilled water damage repair is performed on your home. 

Understanding the dangers alone is important, but knowing what could make them worse is just as critical. Mistakes made during water damage repair, or prolonged water damage cleanup, make these dangers even more prevalent and hazardous. These dangers are worsened by: 

Poor Water Extraction & Removal

This is the first step in the water damage repair process, which means it needs to be done quickly and correctly. Depending on the size and scope of the damage, water pumps may be needed to adequately remove the water. Without the proper equipment, water may be left behind where it can continue to seep into materials and lead to the dangers listed above.

Inadequate Drying

Once the water has been removed, drying needs to begin right away. In order to get the area thoroughly dried, you need to create airflow. In some cases, this may only be achieved through the use of commercial-grade air movers. This process should also be closely monitored to ensure everything gets completely dried.

Neglecting Dehumidification

Even though the area may appear dry, moisture can remain trapped in materials. Using dehumidifiers helps to remove excess moisture from the air, allowing materials to dry out completely.

Improper Cleaning & Sanitizing

Microbial growth can still be a threat if proper cleaning and sanitizing with the correct cleaning agents are not performed.

In summary, the best way to protect yourself from the potential dangers associated with water damage is to call the trained professionals at PCS/PRS Southern. We have the right equipment, training, and experience to safely and correctly handle your water damage repair.