People who live in areas with frequent floods are not the only ones who need to know about water damage restoration. Everyone should be prepared to take care of water damage since your house can be damaged by burst pipes, hoses, overflowing sinks and even humidity. Water damage isn’t always life threatening but it can often have adverse effects to health, so it’s important to clean and dry damaged areas of your home as quickly as possible.
Wood is easily ruined by prolonged exposure to water and is particularly susceptible to carrying fungi and bacteria, so water damaged wood should be taken care of as soon as possible. Steel and other metals found in many homes can also be rusted by water, and paper is of course easily ruined by exposure to water. For all the above reasons, you should initiate restorative efforts as soon as you can.
Health risks involved with water damaged areas can be very severe. Black water refers to water with a high amount of bacteria and fungi, which can cause potentially fatal illnesses like tuberculosis and pneumonia. Black water often comes in the form of sewage water, river water and sea water.
Less severe classifications of water damage are clean and gray water. Clean water damage is the least threatening and is not contaminated. It can refer to overflow from a tub or sink, or a leaking appliance, for example. The water may be sanitary, but it can still damage the house and furniture, so the compromised area should be dried quickly.
Grey water is a more serious classification than clean water. It contains a significant amount of bacteria, though not as much as black water. Since gray and black water can cause illness in animals and people, if you think you may have this kind of water it’s best to call your environment protection agency or water bureau so your home can be investigated. If you end up staying in a contaminated, bacteria-carrying area, you are more at risk for serious illnesses.
After floods particularly, drinking contaminated water is a mistake many people make. Even if you’re not sure the extent of contamination, it’s best to play it safe and boil all drinking water, or have it filtered through a water purification system.
Any wood items that are severely damaged by water should be discarded, since mold can quickly collect there. Be sure to wash all dishes in hot water and dry them. The faster you dry your walls, furniture and floors, the less likely mold and bacteria will be to keep growing.
Water damage can be a very serious threat so people should all be prepared, know the risks, and know how to minimize them. By having items such as dehumidifiers, vapor steam cleaners, rubber gloves, boots and masks already in your house, you will be ready to clean and dry areas of your house damaged by water at any time.
Want to find out more about water damage phoenix, then visit George Archer’s site on how to choose the best sewage backup cleanup for your needs.
Tags: floods, home, home flooding, home improvement, water damage restoration