Ignoring Water Damage Can Lead To Restoration Issues

When you find signs of water damage in your Charleston home, you may be tempted to put off action. You could paint over the streaks on the walls. You might just sweep up the crumbly wood of the windowsills. Aside from the obvious aesthetic stains and watermarks on the walls that you can see, something more dangerous can be happening inside the wall cavities. Slow leaks are dangerous, particularly if you delay action.

Water can cause a significant amount of damage to your property in a very short period of time; you need an immediate plan to handle your water damage emergency.  The longer you wait, the more opportunity bacteria and other pathogens have to grow. Water damage restoration also becomes an issue. Here are a few things that water damage can do to your Charleston home:

Water Damage Restoration Services in South Carolina

Harm To Your Home

Water that leaks into your home can degrade building materials, ruin your possessions and support mold growth. Water can begin to penetrate drywall within hours. This building material may weaken, crumble, or even disintegrate. Metal can rust. Wood will warp and rot.

Bad For Your Budget 

Wasting one gallon of water one time is insignificant. However, persistent leaks add up fast. According to the EPA, ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings. Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills, and help with water damage restoration costs. 

Clean and Disinfect

Focus on lots of sunshine and fresh air to combat bacterial and microbial growth. Open windows and place fans for maximum cross ventilation. Running a dehumidifier will also help remove humidity from the air. Once the water and damaged contents are out, salvage what is left. Smaller, non porous surfaces can be treated with a bleach and water solution. Wear old clothes, wear gloves and ventilate the room. If absorptive fabric items have not been contaminated with flood waters, wash with detergent and a little vinegar to prevent mildew. 

Additional Risk From Mold

Although you may have survived the water itself, be aware of the additional danger from mold. When you find evidence of damage, act now. The growth of mold and bacteria that can pose serious health hazards. Diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, and occasionally hives (urticaria) are usually the consequence of allergic sensitization to the molds that grow when excess water is present.  

After Disaster, Call Immediately

Typically, you don’t want to wait for your adjuster when it is an emergency. These crucial hours count. Putting off repairs can make your final claim even more expensive.  Because the adjuster typically cannot arrive until days after the initial incident, Clean Masters will take measurements, readings and pictures to thoroughly document the process to eliminate any questions the adjuster may have. Call the experts now. The restoration team can work concurrently with the insurance process for the best outcome. 

When researching companies to help with water damage to your home or business, only consider a team with the infrared thermal imaging tools and expertise to locate all hidden sources. One of the most important aspects of water damage restoration is finding the moisture that can’t be seen by the naked eye. So what are you waiting for? Contact Clean Masters, in Charleston, today!