When there is a flood in your area that involves your home, there’s typically a lot more damage than meets the eye.
Whether it’s due to prolonged rainfall over several days, intense rain over a shorter period of time, a severe plumbing issue, or problems resulting from melting ice, a flooded home has the potential to cause an awful lot of damage. As a homeowner, it’s important to understand the full scope of the flood damage so you can take the appropriate actions and avoid serious consequences.
In today’s blog post, we discuss some of the potential risks of flooding in your home:
Structural Damage
One of the big issues with flooding in your home is that it can weaken the structure.
Depending on how long the water is left standing, it may crack, warp, or rot wooden structures, it can damage concrete and brick or corrode metal. Naturally, any problems with the structure of your home are going to create safety issues for you and your family.
Electrical Damage
It’s no secret that water and electricity do not mix.
If you have flooding in your home and the water reaches your electrical outlets or appliances, you may end up with short circuits and damage to your electrical system. In a worst-case scenario, it can even create electrical fires that present you with a whole new set of problems.
Health Risks
Quite often, the presence of water signifies the presence of bacteria and other contaminants.
This is especially true of standing water, which often occurs after flooding in your home. Things like E coli and salmonella can cause severe illness, and damp conditions also create a higher likelihood of mold growth. Mold inside your home can cause respiratory issues and other health problems, especially if you have any vulnerable family members.
The potential health risks alone are good reasons to get out of the house and find the help you need.
Damage to Personal Belongings
Water damage to your belongings is an emotional trauma that can be hard to handle. Although these are just things, if you have family heirlooms or collectibles that are irreplaceable, insurance money will never restore what you’ve lost. Even if items inside your house are not fully submerged, the higher humidity levels caused by flooding can damage your belongings over time. If you have any irreplaceable items, it’s a good idea to package them appropriately to protect against potential flooding.
HVAC System Damage
Regardless of the time of year, you rely on your HVAC system to some extent.
When you have flooding inside your home, the electrical components of your HVAC system may be damaged, and the excess moisture can also introduce mold and bacteria into the system.
This means when you turn it on, contaminants will be circulated throughout your house, potentially affecting the health of your family members.
Foundation Damage
Damage to your home’s foundation is something you want to avoid at all costs, but it is a possibility if you’re looking at the full scope of flood damage.
The sheer weight and pressure of the water can cause your foundation to shift or crack, which will require costly repairs in the future. Getting rid of the water and getting the surface area back to normal is wonderful, but if your foundation is damaged, you’re going to have structural issues in the future.
Water Stains and Discoloration
Superficial discoloration and water stains are a by-product of flooding that need to be addressed after the fact. Floodwaters can damage your walls, floors, and ceilings, leaving behind ugly water stains that not only look bad but can affect the integrity of the structure.
As soon as everyone in your family is safe and any danger has subsided, it’s important to get in touch with professionals to assess the damage and get to work making the necessary repairs. No one wants to have to face the reality of flood damage in their home, but you don’t want to argue with reality either, which is why getting the help you need as soon as possible makes the most sense.
The Len Roofing & Remodeling Difference
When we say that we’re a top-quality home remodeling and roofing company that serves the North Shore and surrounding Chicagoland area, we back it up. We do more than simply cover the basics: we show up on time and nail it. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call 847-768-6000 or visit our contact page.
