Dangers of Not Addressing Water Damage

Anytime you sustain water damage, it’s a serious issue that must be addressed immediately. Even when water damage seems to be relatively minor, it can result in more extensive problems if you let the damage fester without making the necessary repairs. For this reason, it’s critical to contact a professional water damage restoration company, such as Cousino Restoration & Environmental, at once if your home or business experiences water damage.

There are a variety of issues that can develop when water damage is left untreated, and many of these problems can be extremely expensive to fix. Below are some of the most common dangers associated with untreated water damage.

Mold and Other Health Hazards

When water damage isn’t addressed properly in a timely manner, it can result in serious health hazards. There are several potential causes of these health hazards, and the most common is mold growth. Mold thrives in areas with significant moisture, and any furniture or structural objects in your home or business that have absorbed significant amounts of water will become a breeding ground for mold. In fact, mold begins to grow within 24 hours after water damage occurs.

Mold can result in a variety of adverse health issues for individuals with a mold allergy. In severe cases, it can result in serious respiratory issues. For this reason, it’s important to work with a professional mold remediation company if you notice mold growth after water damage.

Another potential cause of health hazards is the source of your water damage. Certain water sources can be highly toxic and can result in severe illness. There are three categories of water damage:

• Category 1 – This water damage comes from sanitary sources and is considered “clean” water. The most common sources of Category 1 water damage are burst pipes.
  
  
• Category 2 – This “gray” water comes from sources such as ground water that has seeped into your basement or broken appliances which leak water containing household chemicals that can lead to bacterial growth.
  
  
• Category 3 – This “black” water is the most toxic. It comes from unsanitary sources such as sewage lines and polluted plumbing fixtures, and the harmful bacteria in this water can result in serious health conditions.

While all water damage requires prompt action from a professional water damage restoration company, this is especially critical when your property was flooded with Category 3 water.  

Weakens the Structural Integrity of Your Property

Many of the materials used to build your home or commercial property will absorb large quantities of water. If left untreated, this can cause a variety of structural issues to the building, including:

• Rotten wood, which can weaken your walls, floors, and any load-bearing structure
• Ceiling damage which can create the potential for collapse in severe cases
• Damaged drywall which can weaken walls
• Warped or buckled flooring
• Damage to the foundation

Electrical System Damage

Any outlets, wiring, or fuse boxes that are exposed to water can create significant safety hazards. Even if the flooding doesn’t occur near electrical sources, untreated water damage can move through your walls and floor, ending up in an area that creates an electrical hazard.

In addition to the risk of electrical shocks, you run the risk of an electrical fire that can result in significant fire damage to your home or business. Due to these safety concerns, it’s critical that you have an electrician inspect any components of your electrical system that have been exposed to water damage.

Plumbing Damage

Flood water often contains contaminants that can corrode your pipes if the water damage isn’t addressed in a timely manner. Over time, this can cause your pipes to wear down, resulting in leaks or even flooding if a pipe bursts.

Infestation

Untreated water damage can create a serious pest infestation in your home or business. Beetles, cockroaches, and other pests flock to damp environments, making a water damaged property a pest magnet. Pest infestations can result in contamination of exposed food and create health issues. If you notice signs of a pest infestation after water damage, it’s critical to address the issue immediately.

Reduced Property Value

Untreated water damage can also negatively impact the value of your home or business. Water stains and mold are both red flags to buyers that there may be extensive and costly repairs required to restore the structural integrity of the building. All these issues will be detected on an inspection, placing them on the radar of a potential buyer.

Very few people want to buy a home that will require massive repairs to make it livable. Even people looking to purchase properties as a “fix and flip” will typically be wary of buying a home with extensive untreated water damage, as this will make the home much more challenging to restore before they sell it. The end result is that untreated water damage will significantly lower your home’s value, costing you much more money in the long run than the cost of professional water damage restoration services.

Comprehensive Water Damage Restoration Services by Cousino Restoration & Environmental

The issues associated with untreated water damage are too serious to leave unaddressed. To ensure all repairs are performed correctly and your home or business is restored to its pre-damaged condition, it’s critical to work with an experienced water damage restoration professional. At Cousino Restoration & Environmental, we can ensure the job is done right so that you won’t experience additional problems down the road.

We’ve been the leading water damage restoration service provider for homes and businesses in Southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio for over 45 years. Our team has the experience to handle any issue – from minor water damage to extensive flooding. We provide fast, courteous, and effective service that will restore your property to its pre-loss state.

At Cousino Restoration & Environmental, we’ll handle every aspect of the process for you. Our team will:

• Address all causes of your water damage
• Use professional grade equipment to dry out the building
• Pull out all furniture and contents damaged by water to restore it and prevent mold growth
• Perform all necessary repairs to restore any structural damage that has occurred

We’ll also perform moisture level testing and mold testing to ensure the property is safe. If we detect the presence of mold, our team will perform all necessary mold remediation to eliminate this problem and prevent it from reoccurring.

In most situations, professional water damage restoration services are covered by insurance, minimizing the out-of-pocket expenses you’ll incur. This makes working with a trained professional an easy choice, giving you peace of mind that these important repairs will be performed correctly.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Cousino Restoration & Environmental serves customers in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.