Water Damage and Associated Risks

3/4/2021 (Permalink)

Treat water damage quickly to prevent further damage!

Throughout the United States, majority of homes are vulnerable to the possibility of water damage. Water damage can be caused by broken pipes, flooding, roof leaks, etc. Though water damage is common, most homeowners do not realize that just one inch of standing water in a home can cost thousands of dollars. Beyond what homeowners can see, they need to be mindful of additional water/moisture related threats such as mold or even termites! Though not talked about often in water restoration, termites are a problem that most homeowners don’t even consider when discovering a water loss. 

ACT QUICKLY!

Because wood is a highly porous material that rapidly absorbs and retains moisture, it is important to act quickly when you discover water damage. If not treated and managed in a timely manner, homeowners may face additional damage in the form of mold, mildew, or wood rot! Not only are these issues unsightly, but mold and mildew can affect your safety and cause health effects!

DID YOU SAY TERMITES?

Another issue with water damage is that it can attract termites. Yes, termites! These little pests prefer living in water-damaged wood as they need to be surrounded by moisture. Typically, termites live underground in cool, damp environments. Naturally, water-damaged wood makes a excellent replacement home for these little critters. Termites silently destroy homes, eating away at wooden infrastructure from the inside out. As they are so quiet, most homeowners have no knowledge that termites are present until they have caused tens of thousands of dollars of damage to the house!

Never fear, there are a few ways that you can identify the presence of termites in your home!

1. Check the caulking around your shower/bathtub to see if there is any exposed damp wood. If the wood is marked it could mean that you have termites in your home.
2. Check any wooden frames around the areas that were affected by water. Again, if there are markings, you may have termites.
3. Check any areas that wood was affected by water and look for bite marks (little holes throughout the wood)
4. Call a professional exterminator to assess the area.

THE TAKEAWAY

Water damage can cause a lot of problems in the home, even if it is only a small amount of water. For this reason, it is important to make sure that any damp wood in your home is properly dried out if you experience any water loss. This will reduce your likelihood of mold growth and termite infestation. If you have experienced water damage, call SERVPRO of Western Lancaster County at 717-665-1270! We are water restoration professionals that are faster to any size disaster!