A malfunctioning faucet and a small leak may appear inconsequential, but water damage can give rise to a whole slew of problems that can adversely affect your home and family.
Water damage can hit you the worst in two ways:
Structural Problems
One of the most significant effects of water damage is the weakening of your home’s structure. For instance, when the walls swell and warp, they will slowly disintegrate and eventually collapse altogether. Uncoated metal materials, on the other hand, are apt to rust. Door and window casings, wood decking, joists, and studs will also swell, warp, and split. Every part of your home, in essence – from the surface down to the very core – is susceptible to water damage. Water is a very powerful element that should never be underestimated. It is capable of seriously causing the breakdown of almost any material, may it be metal, wood, or cement. Thus, water intrusion should never be left unresolved for a long time, otherwise it will really take a toll on your home’s overall structure.
Health Problems
Beyond structural damage, there are also a number of health concerns related to water infiltration and damage to the home. When there is excess moisture in your living spaces, it makes for a fertile environment for mold and mildew. As mold and mildew can thrive and spread where it’s damp, it opens you and your family to a number of health risks including allergies, asthma, and skin infections. It can also trigger sinus and respiratory infections – and even pneumonia, which can lead to death if untreated. If someone in your household already has weak lungs, mold can only make matters worse: mold spores, once inhaled, can colonize and spread quickly through unhealthy lung tissue.
A house and its parts can be repaired and replaced – but your family’s health should never be trifled with or taken lightly. Health problems associated with water damage are more dangerous than swelling walls, which is why you should learn what measures to take once water damage is found. Tune in for the next post to learn more.