The Concord Group

If your home has ever suffered water damage from a severe storm or flooding, you may be at risk for toxic mold and mildew contamination. Even after you have dried out your belongings and the affected area or rooms appear to be dry, the aftermath from water damage may be present inside furniture, fabrics, carpeting and walls. If left untreated, this could potentially result in the presence of mold – especially inside drywall. Unseen mold and mildew is known be toxic and could be causing allergic discomfort throughout your home, even beyond the areas that experienced the water damage directly.

An important precaution you can take to make sure that your home does not suffer from water damage is to assess how water proofed your home is currently. If you have small leaks in the roof or cracked areas of foundation in the basement, your home may become victim to water damage during the next severe storm. It is better to take action and preventative measures to make small repairs now, versus the major expense that you will most likely incur if you wait until your home has experienced excessive water damage.

Since most water damage is preventable, it may be beneficial to hire a professional home inspector, contractor or repair specialist in your area to assess the current condition of your home and make any recommendations for improvements. In addition to keeping your home safe from water damage by making any recommended repairs, you will also be increasing your property value and creating a healthier, more comfortable environment for your family.

The threat posed to your home by fire, termites, and wind is obvious, but unless you live in a flood zone the threat posed by water is oftentimes much less obvious. Water damage happens subtly, and too often homeowners aren’t prepared for the consequences. Water damage can occur in a number of ways, at any time, and can have long lasting effects for both property and those that live in water damaged property.

There are three categories of water damage, beginning with category one. This category represents “clean water” and does not pose a health hazard to humans. This kind of damage can occur when a pipe breaks or when an appliance malfunctions and the intake line is broken, such as a broken pipe leading into a dishwasher or washing machine. This kind of water damage is relatively easy to repair because it is isolated and can be treated by correcting the broken item.

The second category of water damage poses a small but real threat to human health. This kind of damage can arise from so-called “gray water,” water contaminated with chemicals or with biological material or microorganisms. This can refer to a sump pump failure, or spillover from an un-flushed toilet or an operating dishwasher.

The third category is highly dangerous. This type of water damage is referred to as “black water” and can come from sources with heavy microorganism or fungal infestation, such as raw sewage, river or ocean floods, standing water, or ground water. Contact with this type of water can make an individual very sick.