What To Know About Water Damage And Restoration
Water damage is a common problem, and it can lead to many complications like mold. While some water damage is easy to avoid, others are harder to predict. If you would like to know more about water damage and restoration, keep reading.
What Causes Water Damage?
There are many reasons water may get inside your home, and while some are avoidable, others are harder to predict. For example, your washing machine, hot water heater, or dish washer could break down and spill a lot of water, but you can avoid this by maintaining and replacing your appliances as need.
Similarly, poorly maintained pipes (or pipes that freeze in the winter) could burst. You can avoid this with regular maintenance and by protecting the outside spout. If your roof gets old or damaged, it may also start to leak, so make sure to keep yours maintained. Don't forget to keep the gutters clean to prevent overflowing water. If your yard doesn't drain properly, consider changing the slope or getting a sump pump.
Finally, flood water is less predictable, but it can cause major damage. In some cases, the groundwater rises too much, causing water to enter the crawlspace or basement. A flash flood from an overflowing river, however, could also flood your home. If the water comes in slowly, you may be able to fight it with a sump pump.
What Are the Signs of Water Damage?
If water is leaking from the roof, you may notice discoloration along the celling or tops of the walls. The paint may also flake or bubble. Water may also pool in inappropriate areas. Sometimes, you can hear the water, and if the water is coming from your appliances or pipes, you may also see your water bill rise.
Water also quickly starts to promote mold growth, so even after a little exposure, your walls, carpets and other materials may start to show green, black, or brown blotches. You may also notice a musty odor associated with the mold. If left untreated, mold spores may irritate people with breathing issues or allergies.
Can You Restore Water Damage Materials?
Water restoration can help save a lot of your belongings, but treatment depends on the severity of the water damage and the type of water. For example, if sewage water overflowed and got all over your carpet, you may want to just get rid of the carpet to prevent any illness. If clean water reached the carpet, you may be able to save it by drying it. You'll need professional help to dry the carpet fast.
Hard materials like wood tables or stone stools can be cleaned, but most porous materials should be tossed, especially if the water was contaminated. Anything you do keep, should be dried immediately and properly cleaned.
Water can cause a lot of damage, but if you can dry the area and clean it fast, you may prevent most issues. Mold can start to grow fast, so act fast after the water damage. If you would like to know more, contact a provider in your area today such as GraEagle Construction LLC.