If you’re a homeowner, you should know about various threats that might appear at some point. Owning your home has many great benefits, but you can also encounter certain problems or issues, and you should make preparations when you can.
For instance, you may have water damage. When it happens, the basement might flood, and that causes it. However, you might also have a burst pipe that damages some other area. A slow drip from one of your pipes can also wreak havoc if you don’t fix it quickly.
We’ll run through some more basic water damage facts in the following article.
Water Damage Can Cause Mold
FEMA says mold can grow within 24-48 hours under the right conditions. That’s pretty crazy. The speed with which mold can appear means it’s a real threat since it can harm humans and pets.
Mold is fungal growth. First, it forms, and then it spreads on decaying or damp matter. Many different mold species exist. Initially, it usually looks like dust. Then, it turns different colors. If you leave bread out on the counter for a few days, you will often see mold develop when the bread turns blue or green.
When water damage occurs, mold can grow on many different surfaces. That’s one major reason why you must clean up water damage and contain it as soon as possible.
If a human breathes in mold spores, they can have allergic symptoms. They might cough, sneeze, or have watery eyes. They might have a headache, feel sleepy, or breathe with difficulty.
This is one incentive to constantly watch for water damage throughout the house.
A Few Different Problems Can Cause Water Damage
A leaky washing machine can cause water damage in your home. Clogged pipes also cause water damage sometimes.
A clogged pipe means you should call a plumber because, if you don’t, that pipe can burst or overflow. That is when you get massive flooding, and mold growth and electrical system damage can result. The water can also damage other household objects you cherish, like keepsakes and heirlooms.
Clogged gutters can cause water damage. When the gutters back up and overflow, the excess water can get into your house through the roof.
Window gaps can cause water damage. The water can flow down your interior walls. You must stop the water flow, then look at the damage and fix it. You might hire a painter or someone who can redo the drywall, or you might handle the project yourself if you have some DIY skills.
Some Leaks Require Water Damage Restoration Companies
You can sometimes handle water damage situations yourself. After you call the plumber and they fix the issue, you can work on the damage with your repair skills. This assumes that you have the skill set and you can also get the materials and tools you need.
Often, though, you don’t have the skills, tools, or materials you need for a water leak repair job. Water that seeps into your walls, ceiling, or floor can get deep into the materials making up your house.
When that happens, you can contact a water damage restoration company. These companies can send individuals who will assess the damage and do the repair work. They’re not cheap, but you must pay them to restore your house to a livable condition. If you don’t, mold will grow, and you will see that unsightly damage every day as well.
Getting a water damage restoration company to fix the damage will also help when you try selling the house. If you ever put it on the market, you can’t show it off with obvious water damage in some of the rooms.
Your Insurance Might Cover the Damage
With water leak situations, your homeowner’s insurance might pay for the repairs. That depends, though. You must look at your policy to see what it says about leaks.
Many policies will cover water leaks but not flooding. If you want flood damage insurance, you must usually get a separate policy, or you might pay for a rider on the existing policy. Flood damage generally costs much more than a standard homeowner’s insurance policy covering burst pipes or clogged gutters.
You must have an inspector look over your house when you move in so they can spot any possible plumbing issues or other problems that might cause water damage. When such damage occurs, make sure you take steps to fix the situation expediently.
