5 Facts About Water Damage

Homes can suffer from water damage in numerous ways during any time of year. Whether water damage results from plumbing issues, frozen pipes, roof leaks, or floods, it can end up costing thousands of dollars to control and repair.

Here are 5 important facts to remember regarding the extent of the problems that water damage can cause.

1. Even after water is removed from your home, damage can still occur.

Once water is soaked up or pumped out of your home, there still might be moisture left behind. This moisture can threaten the structural integrity of materials like wood and drywall. Excess moisture can also lead to serious mold problems, which can weaken the structure of your home and also threaten your indoor air quality.

2. Mold can start growing in a few as 24 hours.

It’s never a good idea to put off water damage repairs. The biggest reason why is how fast mold is able to grow. If given the right combination of conditions (oxygen, moisture, darkness, and organic material), mold can start growing in less than one day.

3. Small plumbing leaks can give out a lot of water.

Aging pipes are prone to corrosion, which can lead to cracks and pinhole leaks. However, even a small leak can lead to a water damage disaster. It’s been shown that a one-inch crack in a pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water in a single day. What’s worse is that because a lot of your home’s plumbing pipes are concealed behind walls, you are unlikely to notice the leak until water damage or mold growth becomes visible.

4. Some types of water cause more problems than others.

Generally, homes suffer water damage from either rainwater, fresh water, gray water, or sewage. Fresh water comes from your homes water line and is supplied to your faucets. Gray water is dirty water, such as the water that comes from your dishwasher or washing machine, but it is not as hazardous as sewage. Sewage contains a plethora of harmful bacteria that can make humans and animals extremely sick. Water damage from sewage requires special restoration methods in order to make you home sanitary once again.

5. Attics are particularly prone to water damage.

Commons sources of water damage in attics are failing gutters or leaky roofs. It’s important to inspect your attic for signs of water damage on a regular basis and to consult a water damage professional for an inspection if any signs are discovered.

If you suspect that your home has water damage, contact the experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for an inspection as soon as possible: 631-940-8100.