In the early stages of water damage, many house owners tend to overlook it, dismissing it as something that will not cause significant structural damage. Yet, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, ignore it at your peril. Water can be caused due to plumbing issues, leaked pipes, flooding, drips from the washing machine or refrigerators, and heavy rainfalls. But whatever the cause of water damage, it needs immediate attention.
To act quickly, find out the signs and symptoms of water damage in your house and make sure that you catch them right away before the problem escalates. Ignoring it won’t benefit you in any way; instead, it can cost you dearly if you don’t take immediate action. The following are some reasons why homeowners and their families should not ignore water damage.
- Mold infestation
For mold to grow, moisture in the air and a warm environment are ideal. A house that has experienced water damage is often the perfect breeding ground for mold infestations. A house with excessive moisture and mold is not only unhealthy for people with respiratory and breathing issues, but it is also not suitable for healthy people.
In addition, mold makes your walls look ugly, chips off the paint, and leads to a need for further renovations in your home. You may also notice a musty smell in the house. Always watch out for the warning signs because severe issues may need the services of a professional.
- Need for water removal
If you fail to address water damage over time, you may end up with a flooded basement that will require the help of a water damage professional for urgent water removal.
It is important to seek professional assistance as stagnant water in the basement can severely damage the foundation. In addition, it can ruin the floor, causing it to rot and warp. Moreover, it can seep through the floorboards to other parts of the house, such as the bedroom and kitchen, and wreak more havoc.
If you take things into your own hands, you may not be able to see all the damage it can cause. Calling for help may prevent a small leak from becoming a major problem.
- Health issues of water damage
Water flooding in the cause may also come with serious health concerns for its residents. Excessive mold on the walls, around the leaking pipes, under the sink, and other areas leads to the house’s infestation with floating spores. These spores can lead to respiratory problems and often lead to more severe illnesses like cancer.
Other health issues include skin allergies and eczema. Even if you fail to comprehend the reason for an increase in such health problems in your household, the doctor will surely point it out to you. Upon learning, don’t hesitate to take immediate action.
- Increase cost of the repair
Water damage can easily become a very costly problem for homeowners. But even a small issue can exacerbate and become expensive if you take longer to address it. The more it spreads, the more repairs are needed, increasing water damage repair expenses. So take action to save your money.
If the damage has reached your foundations, it can cost you thousands of dollars for costly foundational and structural repairs. The repairs can include eliminating the source of water damage, for instance, broken and leaking pipes. Moreover, you may need to reinforce basement walls, repaint, or re-tile affected areas.
- Decreased property price
Structural damage can hurt the value of your property. If you had planned to sell your house, be ready to get a lower estimate and quotes from customers once they have a look at the damages in the house.
The stains and musky odor in the house are enough to turn off the potential buyers even before looking at the mold on the walls. Moreover, the water damage can also make them skeptical about the structural strength of your house. Thus, water damage even less in intensity water damage is a nightmare for your property concerning its market value.
- Damage to the electrical wiring network
Water and electricity are a combination that you never want to witness in your house. But water leaks and damages can lead to electrical damage sooner or later. Eventually, the moisture will reach the wirings exposing you and other family members to the possibility of electrocution. In the case of a flooded basement, the water damage can lead to serious electrical disasters in the house.
Water penetration to the electrical wiring network can increase the risk of fire when they contact each other later. Therefore, it is better to contain the water damage and prevent it from reaching other systems in the house.
- Higher utility bills
Water leakage not only causes water damage and harm to the property, but it also means essential resources are leaking through the system leading to more utility bills. When water damage impacts the electrical wiring, it can also cause wastage of electricity along with the wiring network. Due to your neglect of water damage, you might be making holes in your pocket from all sides.
- Difficulty in making an insurance claim
Often your home insurance covers the water damage in the house, but if you continue to ignore it for a long time, you might lose your right to make a claim. The insurance company might not be happy to cover the damages that primarily happened due to your negligence.
Conclusion
Leaving water damage unattended for a long time can make it worse. Even if you pretend not to know about the festering water damage problem in your house, it will still be there for you to deal with at the end of the day. Ignoring water damage can also be costly. So, to prevent additional damage resulting in structural issues and electrical wiring harm, it is best to address it as soon as possible.
