Common Problems A Water Damage Restoration Service Deals With
Water damage restoration services have hugely complex jobs. People often don’t think about how bad the damage can actually be caused by water. Often, we see a wet spot and think it will dry up, but we forget that the water goes into the very fabric of our home, making it unstable. Indeed, water damage can cause deep structural problems and even make it possible for a house to become unlivable. Restoration services have seen it all, but let’s take a look at some of the most common issues they encounter.
Mold
Mold and dampness are the most common problems seen in properties. Very often, this is caused by poor ventilation and circulation, as well as not knowing how to efficiently use heating. For instance, by switching the heating off in one room, all the heat will travel that way and this can cause condensation, leading to dampness and finally to mold. It is very important to control mold, not in the least because it can cause various health issues.
“Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.”
Problems Due to Poor Maintenance
Recent research was conducted in properties around Cape Cod. It was expected that these properties would have extensive water damage due to being so close to the water. However, it transpired that the bigger problem was actually lack of maintenance.
“Neglected homes often have the most problems. Brian said he has seen antique homes that look like new and relatively new homes that are in awful shape. While one might expect coastal homes to take quite a beating given the weather on the Cape, that is not always the case.”
The problem with this type of maintenance is that a lot of the work that needs doing is actually inside our walls. We believe that a lick of paint or some new wallpaper will solve the issue. In actual fact, it only masks the problem, which may be great if you are looking to make a quick sale, but it isn’t fair. And if you want to continue to live in your property, you will have to do a bit more than just cosmetic work.
Natural Disasters
The hardest jobs that restoration services have to deal with are those in properties that received water damage through natural disasters.
“Flash floods, sudden storms and hurricanes can all trigger water buildup.”
Not only do these events cause extensive damage to property, they also damage people emotionally. There is something heartbreaking about seeing your home totally flooded through no fault of your own, watching all your belongings getting washed away. A restoration service has to work with people that have been affected by these disasters and have to make sure they are sensitive to this.
Protecting Yourself
Having to call in a water restoration service is incredibly expensive and your home insurance will not always cover for all of the necessary expenses. Not just that, but if you have extensive damage, you won’t be able to live in your property the way you normally do for some time as well. This demonstrates the importance of making sure your home is fully protected. Make sure you don’t overfill your washing machine, deal with clogged up toilets and drains, have sandbags in place if you live in a high-risk flood area, address any suspicions of mold being present, and so on. It is always better to prevent the occurrence of a problem than to solve it once it is there.