Being Aware Of Water Damage Signs To Avoid Cleanup Costs
When water damages your home in Hannibal, it may not always be obvious that there is a problem. Since the majority of the plumbing in our homes is located behind walls or in areas we cannot see, oftentimes water damage happens and we are completely unaware. Unseen water damage can be extremely dangerous to your home and, believe it or not, your health. Some signs of water damage are easy to identify, while others may go unnoticed until the problem has become severe. To identify hidden water damage in your home, our water damage cleanup experts recommend you should look for the following:
- Sudden water bill increase
- Warping, buckling, or cracking of walls, ceilings, or floors
- Peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper
- Visible mold growth on walls, ceilings, baseboards, or floors
- The sound of running water when fixtures are turned off
- Damp, musty, or moldy smell
- Unusual humidity
- Puddles, drips, or condensation around pipes, taps, under sinks, and around the base of tubs, showers, or toilets
- Cracking or flaking drywall
- Dark or discolored spots on walls or ceilings
Water Damage Cleanup In Hannibal
If you notice any of the above signs in your home, you should call the water damage cleanup professionals at Clean Restoration right away. If left too long, hidden water (or any water damage for that matter) can actually lead to more damage – the most common, and potentially health-threatening, being mold growth.
Mold growth is almost always associated with water damage, and especially hidden water damage. With excess moisture present, mold growth can begin within 24 hours. Mold reproduces by spores, which are best described as a type of seed and are invisible to the naked eye. Mold thrives on surfaces like wood, drywall, and insulation (basically the very elements that make up your home). If mold spores are inhaled or ingested, they can cause a variety of dangerous respiratory symptoms including, but not limited to:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Rashes and skin irritation
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Irritation to eyes, nose, and throat
- Asthma
- Allergic reactions
Mold found in homes can be a very dangerous, and not to mention costly, problem. However, with prompt action and the proper equipment, mold growth and the complications that accompany it can be remediated safely.
Structural damage can also follow water damage and occurs after moisture has been trapped inside walls, under carpets, beneath floorboards, and in other unseen areas of the home. The integrity of building materials like sheetrock and wood is compromised when excess water and moisture become absorbed by the materials. These porous materials begin to swell as water is absorbed, and that expansion may cause warping, bending, cracking, and deterioration. Without complete drying and dehumidification, these structures will continue to weaken. Deterioration to these structural components is a huge risk of hidden water damage, and is best remediated by water damage cleanup professionals who can safely and effectively reverse and repair the damages left behind by hidden water.
If your home has sustained water damage, or you suspect there is hidden water damage, our water damage cleanup experts have the certifications, tools, knowledge, and integrity to take care of the damage the right way. Don’t waste any time when it comes to water damage cleanup, and let Clean Restoration take care of it.
