In this article, we’re going to talk about something fairly common in today’s society: large-scale water damage. About 1 in 50 properties have a water damage claim of some variety, each year. Many people don’t understand the seriousness of getting professional water damage cleanup right away; some people think it’s no big deal, and others think that they have plenty of time to clean up water damage. But, as you’ll see below, we’re committed to dispelling these myths and informing you. That’s why we’ve prepared a list of seven reasons you should get professional water damage cleanup.
1. PROFESSIONAL WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP PREVENTS MOLD GROWTH
This is a huge one. What some people don’t know is that dark, moist areas are perfect locations for mold colonies. This means that if your basement floods and you don’t clean up the water right away, you’ll soon be looking at mold growth.
We probably don’t have to tell you why you should avoid mold growth at all costs, but we’ll mention a couple of reasons anyway. Mold colonies can be incredibly dangerous. They can have a negative impact on your quality of life and can even make you sick. Some types of mold can even lead to serious diseases. For a workplace, it can mean long shutdowns and costly missed opportunities. It’s not something that you should attempt to deal with on your own.
2. UNTREATED WATER DAMAGE IS A FIRE HAZARD
This seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? But though it might seem strange that water damage can lead to a fire hazard, it is an unfortunate truth.
The problem with leaving standing water in any structure is that that water can go everywhere. And when the standing water seeps into the wrong places, it can become a fire hazard. If water seeps into your circuit breaker or electrical machinery, for example, it can cause it to short-circuit, which can in turn start a fire.
3. WATER DAMAGE HARMS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
Though a small puddle of water might not seem overly serious now, it can have huge consequences in the near future. When water soaks into wooden structures, it can cause the wood to rot. If, for example, a support beam or part of your wall starts to rot, then your structure can become an incredibly dangerous place to stay.
To avoid having a wall cave-in or part of your building collapse, it’s a much better idea to get professional water damage cleanup from the beginning. It’s often the long-term effects of—even small amounts of water—that cause the worst damage.
4. WATER DAMAGE DECREASES VALUE
Let’s say, for example, that one of your gutters got backed up and water spilled onto your roof. Let’s also say that this water soaked into your ceiling, leaving a huge water stain. If, like most businesses that own their buildings, your depreciation is on a set schedule, that water spot can have an impact.
That’s just one superficial way that letting water damage go untreated can hurt the value of your long-term assets. Structural damage, which we talked about before, is not only dangerous to anyone inside. It also means that this property has a lower value if you decide later on that you want to sell it.
5. WATER DAMAGE IS A HEALTH HAZARD
In a short amount of time, standing water that is left untreated can become incredibly dangerous. In the same way that it encourages mold growth, untreated water damage can be a breeding ground for harmful microbes and bacteria. These can be dangerous for you and your workers, and you should avoid this at all costs. Even when that standing water finally dries, the toxins it spreads don’t go away. They can soak into different parts of your building (like your furniture and equipment) and can linger for a long period of time.
6. PROFESSIONAL CLEANUP CAN PREVENT INSECT INFESTATION
As if bacteria and toxins weren’t enough, standing water is perfect for insects like mosquitoes. Nobody likes dealing with bugs, but if you leave water damage untreated, you’ll likely have to deal with them inside your building. It’s much better to get professional water damage cleanup than it is to deal with a flea or tick infestation, which can both be caused by untreated water damage.
7. WATER DAMAGE CAN CREATE A COSTLY DOMINO EFFECT
The longer you leave water damage untreated, the more it will destroy. Water damage can destroy important items like documents and electronics as well as structural concerns. Don’t give standing water the time it needs to destroy your valuable assets or property. Calling a disaster restoration company like 1-800 Water Damage can help you make sure that floodwaters and other types of water damage don’t get to steal your peace of mind.
PEACE OF MIND IS WORTH THE PRICE
This list, though not exhaustive, can give you the basic information you need to help you avoid leaving standing water in your structure. Your peace of mind is our number one priority; giving you information like this is one way of helping you maintain it. Don’t let your water damage problem get worse because you don’t want to clean it up. Take the time and effort now to save yourself a major headache down the road.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tim Fagan is the president of 1-800 Water Damage, a trusted property restoration company serving across the nation. With locations spanning from coast-to-coast, 1-800 Water Damage helps home and business owners return their property to its original condition while restoring what truly matters—health and safety. The 1-800 Water Damage team is fully vetted, IICRC-certified, and insured for your safety. For more information, visit www.1800waterdamage.com.
MODERN PUMPING TODAY, February 2022
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