Four Post-Flood Hazards

The damage from a flood is much more far-reaching than the actual flood itself. There are several different problems that often occur after a flood. To ensure flood damage is effectively restored in your home, it is critical that you take care of these common hazards as well. From our restoration experts at Restore Rite, serving Pocatello, Blackfoot, and Idaho Falls, here are a few of those hazards and what you can do to prevent them.  

Structural Damage

Structural damage from a flood occurs in two main ways. The first of which is damage that comes from the force of the floodwater. This usually happens when your home is flooded due to a natural disaster. There is not much you can do to prevent structural damage from happening in this case. The second way, however, is much more preventable. This happens when floodwater remains in your home for a long time allowing the water to seep into your walls and carpet. Given enough time, floodwater will seep into porous materials like drywall, carpet, and furniture causing potentially irreversible damage. The key to preventing this is removing the floodwater and moisture from your home as quickly as possible.

Pests And Insects

The moisture left behind by a flood can become a breeding ground for unwanted pests and insects. Many of these pests, like cockroaches, are very resilient and difficult to get rid of. As a result, it is best to remove the floodwater and moisture as quickly as possible before any of these pests even have a chance to infest your home. 

Mold

Anytime there is water damage, mold damage is likely to follow. This is such a common problem because mold will grow anywhere there is excess moisture, and it is very difficult to remove all the remnants of moisture after a flood. Once mold begins to grow, the severity of its impact varies. For one, it can cause serious damage to the structural integrity of your home. If mold is allowed to grow within your walls, then sometimes the only way to effectively remove it is to tear down the walls. Mold also poses a health issue. Those who are sensitive to mold can experience minor symptoms such as nasal stiffness, throat irritation, coughing, and eye irritation. For those more seriously affected by mold they may experience more alarming health risks such as upper respiratory tract symptoms, bronchitis, and even the development of asthma in those who didn’t previously suffer from it.

Contaminated Water

Contaminated water is one of the most common complications after a flood. Floodwater is contaminated when it contains some level of harmful bacteria and microorganisms. If floodwater in your home is contaminated, you should leave the cleanup and restoration to the experts. This is especially true if the floodwater contains sewage or harsh chemicals. It is not worth the threat to your health to try and clean it up on your own. 

At Restore Rite we hope you never have to deal with the damaging effects of a flood. However, if your home is flooded, these tips should be helpful in getting through the restoration process more effectively. Don’t ever hesitate to give us a call for any cleaning and restoration help you may need.