5 Hidden Dangers of Flood Damage

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

flood damage in home from hurricane

The obvious signs of flood damage can be incredibly disheartening, let alone expensive to repair. Damage to floors, furniture, and fixtures can ruin the look of a home and cause irreparable damage to your belongings.

But even once you've been through a water damage restoration process, there can be significant hidden damage. If this damage is not addressed quickly, the consequences can be even more devastating than the visible damage.

Keep reading to discover 5 hidden dangers of flood damage.

1. Mold Growth

Mold is one of the dangers of water damage, but mold itself is not an uncommon thing. In fact, its spores exist all throughout nature, but mold in the home is a different story.

Damp environments are a perfect breeding ground for mold, and some of these places around the home may not be easy to see at first.

Behind furniture, in dark areas of the house, and in places you wouldn't usually look just happen to be where mold is likely to grow. Mold can affect health, so it's best to find a remedy.

2. Structural Issues

One of the most hidden but unfortunately most consequential dangers of flood damage is structural damage to the home. Large amounts of water in a property can put an incredible strain on the foundations, which can lead to cracks in the structure. 

Even if the water doesn't flood the house, the ground around the building can become saturated in water, which in turn presses in on the foundations.

3. Damage to Appliances

Water can very quickly damage appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers. A water-damaged appliance can be incredibly dangerous, so if you have any suspicions at all that water may have got into one, turn it off at the wall immediately as long as it is safe to do so.

4. Contaminated Water Systems

Depending on where the floodwater has come from, water systems in the home could become contaminated with anything ranging from human waste to animal remains.

Different levels of contaminations have different classifications - black water is any wastewater that comes from toilets or urinals. Greywater is any wastewater that has been used for washing, such as washing machines, showers, or sinks.

5. Damage to Heating Systems

Any damage to a heating system should be addressed with great care. If floodwater has pushed or moved any appliance that uses gas, this could be a dangerous situation and you should leave the house as a matter of urgency.

Call our 24-hour emergency contact number if you have any concerns about the extent of flood damage in your home.

No Flood Damage Should Be Ignored

If you are ever unfortunate enough to have to deal with flood damage, this guide should show you the importance of flood damage restoration.

Your safety is more important than your belongings, so if you suspect that there is any danger, such as electrical damage or damage to your heating system, don't turn anything on and contact us immediately for help.

Check out the rest of the website for more information about our services.