4 Reasons Why Water Damage Is Dangerous to Your Home & Health from St. John's County

6/1/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damage

Whether your home has experienced water damage from a flood, leaky appliance, or a burst pipe, it can cause a considerable amount of structural damage.

This can also lead to certain health risks if it’s not addressed immediately. The team at SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine/St. Augustine Beach, located in Florida, knows why water damage can be dangerous.

1. Encourages Pest Infestations

Many types of bugs are attracted to moist environments, including cockroaches and termites. These pests leave bacteria, parasites, and pathogens, all of which can negatively affect your health. If you have water leaks, you should get them fixed as soon as possible to discourage infestations.

2. Causes Hidden Mold Growth

Even minor water damage can cause mold to grow in your home. Spores travel through the air and can become lodged in ducts, making it easy for them to reach many areas of the house. Exposure to mold can cause serious health risks, including skin rashes, asthma, and respiratory and sinus infections. A mold remediation team can assess the damage in your home.

3. Rots Wood

Water intrusion can cause structural issues in the wood framing of your house. When there is enough moisture in the wood, fungi that are usually present in the lumber start digesting sugars and proteins in the wood fiber. Wood rot can destroy the strength of the lumber, causing extensive damage to your home.

4. Degrades Wiring

Water damage to your household wiring, whether from a plumbing malfunction or dirty floodwater, can make it unsafe to use power in your home. Since water is an excellent conductor of electricity, it’s important to have the wiring tested by a professional. Moisture can corrode the metal parts and degrade the wiring insulation, which increases the fire risk.

Our experienced team at SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine/St. Augustine Beach provides 24/7 emergency service when you need emergency cleaning or water damage.

If you have questions about fire, water, mold, or biohazard, damage, we are here for you.

Give us a call today at 904-429-4457 to see how we can help save you time and money!

Visit our website for more information.