3 Effects of Secondary Damage After Flooding

3/22/2018 (Permalink)

Water Loss in IL Home

When flood waters rise, they can do a great deal of damage to your Park Ridge, IL, home. However, the presence of water may not be the only issue caused by flooding. Black mold, saturated belongings and damaged electrical systems that prevent you from running fans or your air conditioner to battle humidity can also impede cleanup and drying efforts. This secondary damage can have long-term effects on your home, so knowing how to handle it can be an important step in making repairs after a flood.

1. Damp Air Can Saturate Items

After a flood, water evaporation indoors can cause high humidity that makes drying out rooms and their contents a challenge. Because of the warm, damp air, items that were not affected directly by flood waters may become damp or feel moist. Wooden furniture can be especially vulnerable, as humidity can contribute to warping or discoloration. Having a professional storm cleanup and restoration crew come in to lower humidity with specialized machinery can prevent further damage to your belongings.

2. Mold Can Grow Quickly

After a flood, black mold can begin to develop on affected surfaces as soon as 24 hours later. This type of mold can be difficult to treat once it starts to spread. High humidity levels can also encourage mold growth, so drying out rooms as soon as possible may help you control and impede this issue once flood waters recede.

3. Surfaces May Soak Up Contaminated Water

The longer flood waters remain in your home, the better the chance that your floors, walls and furniture may soak up contaminated water. Not only may this water contain dangerous pathogens, it may cause the room to retain an unpleasant odor. Having the water removed as soon as possible and having a storm restoration company deodorize your home can prevent these bad odors from lingering.

Black mold, unpleasant odors and other issues caused by flooding in your Park Ridge, IL, can have far-reaching effects on your home. However, mitigation services and acting quickly might help you reduce the damage.

Visit us at http://www.SERVPROparkridge.com for more information.