Almost all homeowners, at one point in their lives, have dealt with water damage in their house. Whether it’s a leaky faucet or water runoff from the roof or large-scale natural disasters, water damage is not something that you need to deal with lightly. When left unaddressed, it can cause serious health concerns such as unpleasant odours, respiratory problems, mould growth, and unsanitary living and working conditions.
The moment there’s water damage in your home, call a professional to deal with it. They know what first steps to take, such as putting plumbing adhesives and sealants, on the source of the water.
Clean Water Damage
This type of water damage means that the water is free from bacteria and microorganisms that can cause allergies or infection in people. Leaks from faucets, sinks, washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other small appliances are types of clean water damage. Although this type of water damage is not hazardous to your health, it can eventually cause the growth of toxic mould and mildew. It can also weaken the structure of your home.
Grey Water Damage
In this type of water damage, the water comes from a dirty source such as the sump pump and toilet. Melted snow and rainfall are also considered grey water. During the rainy and snow season, make sure that the gaps under the door and windows are all sealed and secured to prevent water from coming into the house.
When removing grey water, make sure that you are well protected with gloves, a face mask, boots, and goggles. But removing the water is not the only step that you should take. The area must be cleaned and disinfected before you can use it again.
Black Water Damage
This is the worst type of water damage. It involves water that contains harmful contaminants such as human or chemical waste, sewage, and microorganisms. The usual sources of black water damage are flood damage and sewage backups. You cannot clean black water on your own. You need to hire a professional to survey the effects on your home. They also have the right cleaning and sanitising products to eliminate mould spores and other contaminants.
When this type of water damage happens in your home, you need to evacuate your family to a friend’s or relative’s house. If you have had contact with black water, clean that part of your body vigorously with soap and warm water.
Health Risks
Exposure to water damage of all kinds can cause serious harm to your health. Water damage causes highly humid environment indoors, which encourages the growth of mould and mildew. In turn, these mould spores can result in diseases such as allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, hives, allergic fungal sinusitis, allergic sensitisation, and allergic conjunctivitis.
When there’s water damage in your home, do not attempt to deal with it on your own. Unless you know the source of the water, you cannot be sure that it’s not runoff from plumbing or sewage or the toilet. What you can do for the meantime is to turn off all water sources such as the faucets, showerheads, and the main plumbing system. Call a professional for help because they can assess where the water is coming from and address the water damage accordingly.
