What Happens When Water Damage Is Left Untreated?

A Little Water Can Cause Big Problems

If your home or business has minor water damage from a leaky pipe or faulty washing machine, you might feel tempted to ignore it. The damage could be out of sight and out of mind or not feel important enough to require water damage restoration.

Still, you should call a water remediation company in Martin County, FL for help to prevent a seemingly minor problem from ballooning into a serious and costly issue. Failing to treat water damage carries severe consequences, including the following.

Your Property Value Can Decrease

Water damage can cause major problems to your house's structural integrity. Continuous leaks can create unsightly brownish water stains on walls and ceilings. If the structure has hardwood flooring, it's vulnerable to rot and distortion from extended exposure to moisture.

These situations are difficult to address without help from a water remediation company. Ignoring the damage will devalue your residence and make it harder to sell it at the desired price.

Homebuyers usually want properties that don't need too many expensive repairs, even for fixer-upper houses.

The same goes for commercial properties. Mitigating old water damage eliminates the building's visual appeal and structural support, which drops its value.

You'll Have To Deal With Structural Damage

When it comes to structural damage, water stains, and wood rot aren't the only problems you could have if you don't treat water damage. Your building's foundation could be at risk depending on the level of water saturation and its location. Letting water soak into the lowest level of your residential or commercial property could result in foundational cracks or weakened wood supports, which jeopardizes the whole building.

You also have to pay attention to your walls and floors. Some flooring materials, like ceramic tiles and vinyl, have great water resistance, but if your property has carpet or hardwood flooring, the damage from the flood could be extensive. Drywall soaks up moisture quickly, leading to weak walls.

Mold Will Set In

Mold colonies start forming within 24 to 48 hours after a flood. A mold infestation will quickly spread from the affected area due to the increased moisture and quickly cover construction materials and personal belongings.

The problem with mold extends beyond damaging your property. The abundance of fungal spores will stick on any surface, so the spread happens fast. Even if the flood occurs in your basement, you could see mold in your home or business's upper levels if you don't address the excess moisture in your building and hire a company for mold removal.

Mold spores can be a problem for people with allergies or respiratory illnesses. Some mold types even have neurotoxins that can create health problems for people who are otherwise healthy. The longer you inhale the spores, the more at risk you become for serious health risks associated with mold.

Health Risks Increase Dramatically

A mold infestation is only one way your health risks increase if you stay in a place with untreated water damage. Water damage can develop from clean water, water with moderate bacterial contamination, and water with toxic chemicals, pathogens, and pollutants. Still, bacterial growth can also be problematic with a clean water flood if you let it become stagnant.

Exposure to sewage runoff, seawater, and an overflowing toilet each have major health risks. The dirty water could wreak havoc on your immune system, leaving you powerless against infections and diseases.

The risk increases dramatically if the contaminated water mixes with your drinking water. Immediate water damage restoration from a reputable water remediation company is vital to ensure your health and safety.

Pest Infestations Are More Likely

Like mold, many pests, including beetles and cockroaches, thrive in moist environments. By leaving water damage in your home untreated, the building will likely develop a pest problem.

Unfortunately, pest infestations go beyond having unwanted insects and wildlife in your home or business. Infestations can also cause food contamination, poor indoor air quality, and an increased risk of health problems from pest droppings.

Don't Settle for Untreated Water Damage

If your home in Martin, Palm Beach, or St. Lucie County, Florida, experiences water damage from severe weather, a burst pipe, or any other reason, turn to our team at DRYOUTpro PLUS, INC. for help. As a leading water remediation company serving the area with decades of restoration experience, our certified technicians have the tools and expertise to handle water damage, flood damage, storm damage, mold removal, and more.

Keep your home safe and free of water, structural damage, and other hazards, call (772) 362-3705 for a quote from DRYOUTpro PLUS, INC. today or fill out our contact form on our website.