Why Repairing Water Damage Is Vital for Your Home and Health

Call 24/7 AfterCare Restoration 215.515.1000

When water enters your home, you may worry about the damage the water is causing to the building. Even a small amount of water can cause significant damage to your home’s structure, flooring, walls, and furnishings.

But the most dangerous risk of flooding isn’t the incredible property damage it can cause. Whether it’s a major flooding event or just a tiny leak leading to a little bit of water in the basement, any flooding and its aftermath can lead to serious health consequences for your family.

That’s why repairing water damage completely, quickly, and effectively is essential and why partnering with an experienced water damage restoration company can mean more than just salvaging your property.

Avoid Risks During the Flood

If a sewage backup causes flooding, the water entering your home is contaminated with human and animal waste, dangerous bacteria, viruses, and other microbes and pathogens. If it’s a naturally occurring flood, that water almost certainly also carries the same contaminants, along with:

Chemicals, including oils, fuels, and solvents
Dead animal tissue
Garbage, potentially including medical waste and other biohazards
Other organic matter, including mold and mildew spores

If you encounter standing floodwater, do not enter it or attempt to retrieve flooded items. If, for some reason, you have to come into contact with the floodwater, immediately wash with soap and warm water to reduce the risk of these contaminants causing health problems.

Prevent Risks After the Flood

Even if the flooding in your home was caused by clear, clean water – say, from a broken water pipe – what it leaves behind can cause all kinds of problems. Water finds every crack and crevice and can quickly soak through many building materials. Remember, your home’s roof and exterior siding are designed to keep water out, but your interior isn’t designed the same.

The water that inevitably remains behind after a flood leaves your home’s materials damp and turns them into prime breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and other fungi. Some of these are mostly harmless, other than being unsightly or having an unpleasant smell. The majority, though, are responsible for countless health conditions. Acute conditions triggered by mold growth might include:

Allergic reactions
Sinus congestion
Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
Acute infections, including fever and shortness of breath

If left unaddressed long enough, a mold infestation can lead to more serious, chronic conditions, including:

Asthma
Chronic cough (“Katrina Cough” was a common complaint on the Gulf Coast in years following the 2005 hurricane)
Reduced immune efficiency, leading to secondary infections
Neurological effects, including memory loss, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and confusion

Don’t Gamble With Your Family’s Health. After a Flood, Contact AfterCare Restoration Right Away to Ensure That Your Home Remains Safe:

AfterCare Restoration is available for fire restoration in and around the following communities:

CALL 24/7 AFTERCARE RESTORATION 215.515.1000

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AfterCare Restoration is a Local Family & Veteran Owned damage restoration company. We specialize in 24/7 water damage restoration, fire board-up, fire damage restoration, smoke damage restoration, and full reconstruction services.

At AfterCare, we use the latest technology, arrive in marked vehicles and professional uniforms and stand 100% behind our work. This is why at AfterCare we consistently receive 5 star reviews from customers that choose AfterCare for water damage cleanup and fire and smoke damage restoration.

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL WATER & FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION SERVICES AVAILABLE:

AfterCare Restoration is available for fire restoration in and around the following communities: