Water Damage Dangers and Repair for Homes and Businesses

One problem that most property owners hate more than any other is water damage. When there is heavy rain or when snow melts quickly, there is an increase in the risk for this type of damage. You should also be aware of the dangers of water damage and know the areas of concern for homes and buildings.

Causes of Water Damage

When it comes to water damage, there are several possible causes to include:

  • Clogged toilets
  • Leaky dishwashers
  • Broken or freezing pipes
  • Overflowing washing machines
  • Broken dishwasher hoses
  • Plumbing leaks
  • Leaky roofs
  • Foundation cracks
  • Many more

These are just some of the many possible causes of water damage in homes and businesses. The damage can be caused by heavy rain, floods, heavy snow, or plumbing problems which can lead to minor issues such as having water in basements to more severe cases that can lead to the destruction of a home or business.

During winter, freezing pipes can cause severe damage to the plumbing in your home or building in Tulsa. Water damage also causes risks of mold which can cause both structural damage and health problems if not prevented and/or treated.

Knowing who to call for Tulsa plumbing repair solutions is crucial if you ever face a water-damage related problem. In the event of an emergency, you should also know who to call for help. You do not want potential dangers to cause any further potential harm or damage. It is essential to take care of the situation as soon as possible.

Dangers of Water Damage

If you have experienced water damage, it is vital that you take action to stop the damage from spreading. One reason is that the affected materials will come weakened after absorbing the water. This water absorption can lead to significant structural damage.

Areas of Concern in Homes and Buildings

To start damage repair or water removal, an assessment must be done to determine the severity of the damage. The damage is assigned to several different categories ranging from Class 1 to Class 4.

Class 1. This category of damage refers to clean water or water that is not threatening to humans. This type of water damage includes overflowing sinks or broken appliances.

Class 2. Also called gray water, this category means that the water is contaminated and should not be ingested because it may cause sickness due to microorganisms in the water. Category two is usually found from seepage, broken toilets, or broken sump pumps.

Class 3. Also called black water, this type of water contains bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause illnesses. This type of water is very unsanitary, and possible sources of this type of damage include contaminated standing water and different types of sewage problems.

Class 4. This is the most severe damage it requires special water removal procedures to repair the problem. This type of damage may affect concrete, hardwood floors, or plaster.

Freezing Pipes in Winter

Water pipes in crawl spaces, the attic, and outside walls are more vulnerable to freeze during the winter. These freezing pipes can cause significant damage to your property because of a lack of running water and the potential to burst.

When you cannot access running water, you will not be able to do everyday tasks such as take a shower or wash the dishes. When pipes freeze, the water inside creates pressure between the blockage and the closed faucet. This pressure builds up and causes the freezing pipes to explode. If a pipe bursts outside while the ground is frozen, it can also create very slippery, dangerous conditions.

Risk of Mold

A home or building with water damage needs immediate special attention to avoid a mold explosion and further mold damage. Mold reproduces through spores that spread quickly through the air to form new mold colonies when the conditions are just right: moisture, nearly any organic nutrient, and a place to grow.

Not only does mold damage materials, but it is a serious risk to your health. Exposure to mold damage can cause distressing symptoms and illnesses in some individuals sometimes mold triggers allergic or immunologic reactions which make some people get quite sick when they are continuously exposed to such an environment.

In a human indoor environment where damage from water has occurred, the area may encourage the growth of mold and house dust mites. People who have a sensitivity to mold damage may suffer from chronic headaches or also have allergic reactions such as sneezing, problems breathing, rashes, itchy throat or skin, swollen air passages, or other respiratory problems.

Long-term exposure to mold can lead to many symptoms and illnesses to include:

  • Bronchial asthma
  • Allergic conjunctivitis
  • Allergic rhinitis (Hay fever)
  • Allergic fungal sinusitis
  • Allergic sensitization
  • Hives (urticarial)
  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
  • Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)

Disaster Prevention

Sanitation is one of the most important things to do when you experience any water damage. Mold thrives on a perfect combination of surfaces, moisture, and heat. The first step you should take before doing anything else is to stop the source of water from coming in. Next, you want to remove any contaminated materials and items that cannot be salvaged or restored.

There are usually many things that can be salvaged and you want to dry and sanitize as many of them as you can. You have to remember that mold can grow anything where there are nutrients so it is critical that you do not leave anything wet. Make sure to dry everything as quickly as you can.

If you feel you can not get everything you want to be dried and sanitized by yourself, you can also get help from professional mold damage services. These professionals can employ the use of anti-microbial technology and other techniques to help prevent mold from growing in your home or building.

Restoration and Repair Solutions

Water is the single most destructive substance that has the power to do severe long-term damage in an indoor environment. The harmful and negative effects of water damage can be sharply reduced with a fast and effective intervention which usually occurs within the first 24 to 48 hours.

Three criteria are used to evaluate the process when cleanup and repair is needed.

  • Amount of property damage
  • Replacement costs versus restoration costs
  • Degree of contamination

Mold Prevention and Cleanup

The mold cleanup process involves locating any pipes and plumbing that may be leaking because they could potentially promote the growth of more mold. Areas that are not adequately ventilated also identified because this can lead to condensation which is another form of mold. Doors and windows are also examined to ensure that proper ventilation occurs to help dry any wet or damp areas. If there are any HVAC systems, they are also vented and checked.

Dehumidification

This process involves getting rid of mold-causing moisture which may be present after water has entered an area. The source of the damage is first determined then a moisture map is created to follow its path. A drying strategy is then created to maximize efficiency and get the best results. This process requires speed and the use of high-volume dehumidifiers along with fans to move or control the airflow. This process will ensure that all items that were affected by the water dry as quickly as possible.

Residential Restoration

Whether your home or your business is affected by water damage, the first step in damage control is to assess and survey the property. The naked eye can see some forms of it while other types of damage lie deep below the surface.

When restoring homes, you will be given a walk-through with a specific recovery plan, and the first focus will be to ensure that your property is safe again. To ensure safety, electrical areas are assessed to see what may have been damaged by water and these areas are usually taken care of first. The next step will be to eliminate any standing water and dry out any of your belongings and flooring such as carpets or rugs.

Special equipment is used to help prevent further damage by ensuring that the humidity level in your home is back to normal. This step is to ensure that mold and other contaminants will not grow. Also, areas of your home that are being contaminated by mold and mildew are disinfected with products registered by the EPA. These products have been proven to stop the growth of mold and other dangerous bacteria.

Business Restoration

Water damage to your business can be very stressful. The cost of repairs could be the least of your problem if the damage is so severe that it forces your business to lose revenue from having to stop production or closing down. For business restoration, acting quickly is crucial because you want to tackle the damage as soon as possible and take preventative measures to ensure that it does not happen again.

If you are dealing with standing water, you do not want to risk losing your entire property. This type of standing water to destroy electronics, furniture, business records, and even metal countertops. To help restore your business back to normal, a specialized refrigerant and desiccant dehumidifiers are used to blast warm air into water damaged areas. This process helps to reduce microbial growth and lower the humidity level.

Once the water is taken care of, items that can be saved are identified – especially secure, private records and electronics. A good business restoration service will work hard to get your property back to its condition before the water damage occurred.

Emergency Restoration and Repairs

If there is an emergency caused by damage, you must take immediate action to deal with it. It is a good idea to have a service on hand that will respond immediately to your call and arrives promptly to handle the problem as quickly as possible. Water-damage emergencies can destroy your home or business, and most people do not have the equipment to remove the water as soon as possible.

An emergency restoration and repair team can be available 24/7 to help you and be on the scene quickly in the event of water damage resulting from flood waters, broken pipes, appliances breaking, or some other reason that caused water to flood into your location. With the right company, you will have a team that is always ready to respond quickly and be on site to repair, restore, and clean up all of the water damage.

Potential Dangers and Harm to Homeowners and Residents

For every hour that passes, the water damage gets significantly worse. As time passes, there is also an increase for potential dangers and harm to you and others in your home when water damage is left untreated. It is well known, and documented homeowners often overlook mitigating water leak risks. They are also not aware that water leak damage is a more frequent risk than theft or fire.

Instances of water damage have risen dramatically over the past ten years. According to the Insurance Information Institute, nearly half of all property damage in 2015 was caused by water damage.

The summer season is the time when homeowners are particularly honorable to water damage. To avoid potential dangers and harm, many homeowners choose to install a water leak detection device to identify problems early. Many homeowners also conduct preventative maintenance checks every three months to be more vigilant when it comes to water leaks and damage.

Don’t Let Water Damage Make Further Problems

Water damage is something you cannot always handle on your own especially when it comes to severe storms, roof leaks, and floods. If you need restoration and repair from water damage, it is always a good idea to call the professionals to help prevent further damage and keep your costs down. The restoration process will also go a lot smoother, and you will get your home or business back to normal in the fastest time.

When the inevitable happens, and your building requires disaster restoration, call Reset Restoration immediately. We provide 24/7/365 emergency response. If you have joined our free PREP program, immediate priority response is included, along with many other special no-charge services.

If your friends, family and neighbors have had significant water damage to homes or businesses you can contact Reset Restoration in Tulsa 24/7 to inquire about Tulsa restoration services. Call Reset Restoration today at (918) 582-7373.

If your Tulsa home or business has suffered significant damage, please contact Reset Restoration today and request a free quote on storm damage restoration.  Follow Reset Restoration on Facebook!

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