Your home could be suffering from water damage without you knowing it. The damage can be caused by many reasons including an overflowing bath or leaks during a rainstorm. Water damage, whatever the cause may be, should never be ignored.
Once you detect its presence, you must immediately address the root cause because it could lead to further problems later on. Some of which are:
Loss of Structural Integrity
One aspect of house maintenance is looking after structural components, most notably when it is affected by different problems like water leaks. Water always finds its way to the lowest part of the house, eventually hitting the foundation. It can create such a powerful force that the base soil may lead to scouring, thus inflicting severe damage to the foundation. Make sure that you are aware of the signs that your house’s structural integrity might be compromised.
Growth of Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew may be the result of water damage in your house. Water damage creates high levels of moisture on the right surfaces that can progress to mold and mildew, which is hazardous to your health. Your quick action on repairing the water damage and a little tidying up in your property will prevent this type of occurrence.
When mold is left untreated, it can cause some health issues for the occupants. It can give people inside the house some skin problems and respiratory conditions, especially for those diagnosed with eczema or asthma. Every home should be kept clean and healthy to prevent unwanted diseases.
Staining
Water damage can cause irreparable stains on your property. You would see this as a wall dampness with dark staining. If these stains are not immediately addressed, they could become permanent. Staining can also mean that water seeped through your walls, which may weaken its structural integrity.
Costly Repairs
The longer that the water damage remains on your property, the more expensive it is going to be. According to Eric Rajchel, CEO of Water Mold Fire Restoration, when mold or water damage is fixed immediately, the costs are minimal. Long standing water or mold damage is harder to repair; costing lots of time and money and even your health.
Electrical Issues
When water damage affects your electrical wiring, it could pose a danger to your home. For instance, water seepage into your walls could eventually find its way to your circuit breakers. When this happens, your home becomes a fire hazard.
Dwindling Home Value
Water damage, when left untreated, can cause a domino of problems, and this can devalue your home faster than you think. If you have plans of selling your home for a reasonable price, make the necessary repairs while they are still manageable. When it results in more significant problems, repairs costs can be too expensive, and you’ll be forced to sell your home at a low price.
Home Insurance Issues
While it is true that your insurance will shoulder water damage repair costs, they could also deny the claim if the damage was caused by negligence on your part.
Hide Additional Damage
If you ignore water damage in your home, you are essentially covering up other potential issues that your home may have.
Weaken Your Home’s Foundation
Simple cracks in your home could be due to age. However, larger cracks that cause flooding can weaken your home’s foundation, which can spell disaster.
When you see any sign of water damage in your home, have it inspected and fixed right away. Don’t ignore or postpone, as it could potentially affect the overall integrity and value of your home.
