Home flooding issues often extend far beyond soaked carpeting or the knee-high water level down in the basement. Those very conspicuous consequences are often fairly straightforward recovery scenarios for a professional water damage specialist. But it’s what’s not visible — and may not produce immediate obvious signs — that can trigger problems long after you think the damage is over and done with. Here are four hidden home flooding issues you need to be aware of now and later, too.
Mold Growth
Mold spores are about 4 microns in size. Anywhere microscopic spores migrate in your house, mold growth can subsequently be triggered once moisture is present. Active mold releases millions of airborne reproductive spores into the indoor environment, presenting a health hazard to susceptible occupants. Presence of toxic mold should be considered presumptive after home water damage and professional mold remediation techniques should always be part of water damage recovery.
Structural Deterioration
Flood water easily penetrates a home’s internal wooden structure and saturates these building materials. Wood rot and termite infestation may compromise framing, joists and sheathing if water-soaked wood doesn’t have air circulation to dry promptly. A qualified water damage recovery specialists uses borescopes, hygrometers and moisture detectors to locate hidden saturated zones inside walls and elsewhere.
HVAC Ductwork
Flood water may infiltrate deep into heating/cooling ducts and form a concealed source of moisture for mold growth, as well as attracting vermin and insects. Whenever ductwork is contaminated by floodwater, a complete duct system cleaning and disinfection is indicated.
Electrical Wiring
Electrical wiring routed inside walls or the attic may be dangerous immediately after flooding — and also long after. Wet wiring poses an obvious immediate hazard. Depending on wiring type, however, corrosion and mildew initiated by water may also deteriorate insulation over time, eventually causing shorts and fire hazards as well as disconnections in circuits. Merely allowing wet wiring to “dry out” on its own is not adequate — inspection by a qualified electrician should follow any flood event.
Ask the water damage specialists at Rytech Inc. about hidden home flooding issues that may affect your home.
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