Areas of the Home Commonly Affected by Water Damage
Leaks may occur in various areas of your Twin Falls home, but commonly they affect your roof, attic, and basement. Since appliances such as a dishwasher, washing machine, refrigerator, and hot water heaters can commonly break and flood into surrounding areas such as the laundry room and kitchen are also commonly affected. Additionally, any area of your Twin Falls home that has plumbing presents an opportunity for leaks meaning bathrooms are equally susceptible.
You Should Address Damage to a Home Immediately
Sustained leaks can cause serious and systemic damage to a Twin Falls home. As a result, it is important to address water-related concerns quickly. Some key problems associated with water damage include:
- Weakened or damaged house infrastructure
- Increased opportunities for mold and mildew growth
- Increased possibility of electrical issues or electrical shock
- Health concerns related to standing water exposure, including breathing problems
- Decreased functionality in the home
- Damage to appliances, furniture, and other household items
- Sanitary issues related to raw sewage
Left untreated, smaller water problems can grow considerably and lead to bigger financial concerns in the long run. Sometimes, Twin Falls homeowners delay addressing water damage because concerns are limited to an area of the house that is not often used. Unfortunately, water problems affecting one area of the house often spread to others. Mold growth can affect your ductwork, causing foul odors to spread throughout a home. Water can leach into walls and other infrastructure, causing deterioration and staining. Leaks in upper areas of houses are particularly worrisome, as water tends to travel through walls and flooring, damaging insulation, sheetrock, paint, and setting the stage for mold development.
Health Problems Associated with Water Damage
One of the more concerning issues related to water damage is exposure to potentially hazardous health conditions. This can cause significant and lasting effects, especially for groups that are most susceptible to exposure like children and the elderly.
In Twin Falls, water damage from leaks or storms can cause mold to grow in crawl spaces, near furnaces, and air conditioning systems and contaminate the air supply of your home. Mold can cause respiratory ailments and exacerbate sickness.
Bacteria and other microorganisms affecting your health thrive in areas of standing water and contact with standing water can induce more serious illnesses.
More directly, flooding can jeopardize the safety of your home, presenting electrical hazards where in contact with wires as well as appliances and other electrical devices.
Immediate Steps to Take in Response to Water Damage to Your Home
There are steps that you should take to help ensure the safety of your family and your Twin Falls home if you experience water damage from a leak, storm, sewage backup, or other disasters:
- Shut off power and water in or near affected areas.
- Contact emergency services if an injury has occurred.
- Research insurance policies related to water damage to determine coverage options. Since time can be of the essence it’s advisable to always understand your policy in advance if possible.
- Contact CTR Cleanup and Total Restoration, a certified restoration specialist and professional repair company in Twin Falls, for assistance in draining and cleaning water affected areas of your Twin Falls home in a safe and expedient fashion.
