3 Things That Could Happen to Your Home After Water Damage

The key to preventing any sort of water damagein your home is catching it early and fixing the problem before it sets in too long. The longer the water sits and saturates, the more damage it will cause, and you will need more permanent repairs that will add up in cost. Here are three things that could happen to your home after water damage, and why it is imperative that you act fast.

1. Mold

Water damage that is not properly cleaned and dehumidified will undoubtedly turn into a dangerous mold infestation. Mold only needs three things to begin its development: moisture, warmth, and a surface to grow on. Depending on where it is and the extent, you could even develop black mold, which poses the greatest adverse health effects. If you experience water damage, be sure to at least follow up with a professional that can inspect your home thoroughly for any traces of this harmful fungus.

2. Replacement of Flooring or Carpeting

Depending entirely on the amount of water and the length of time it sat, you may need to replace your flooring or carpeting entirely. For hardwood flooring, there really is only a short window of time before the panels become too waterlogged. Tile can start to come up and will need to be cleaned and re-adhered. Something important to consider, especially with carpet, is what kind of water has infiltrated your home. If it is black water, that means there is a high level of dangerous contaminants that are enough to warrant total replacement for safety purposes.

3. Disposal of Possessions

Sadly, a reality of water damage is that there are items that will be too far gone to repair. Especially with art, books, and documents, water can wreak extensive havoc. Furniture that has been left in high water for hours at a time will not only have weakened, but may become mold infested. The sad truth is that a lot will have to be thrown away the longer you wait. This should give you pause to think about your more expensive, special items and consider insuring them.

Call Restoration 1 of Greater Minneapolis Today

The team at Restoration 1 of Greater Minneapolis wants nothing more than for you and your family to be in a safe, healthy household. If you are ever faced with water damage, you will want a trustworthy professional to help you clean up and inspect for mold. Call us whenever you need us at 612-200-2302. We serve Minneapolis and the surrounding area.

About The Author

David Tynes is the general manager of Restoration of Greater Minneapolis. David has years of experience in home and commercial restoration, and he is certified as a restoration professional by the IICRC.