How Bad is Water Damage
There’s no easy way around this. Water damage is bad and leads to all kinds of related consequences. First, there’s the water damage, which damages building materials, appliances, fixtures, and furniture as it sits and pools, with electronics being especially susceptible to damage. Also, mold thrives with water damage and is a concern when the moisture hides behind walls and in other difficult-to-reach areas. Even scarier? Depending on where the water came from, water damage leads to health concerns, as sitting water often features all manner of germs and bacteria. This is why it’s essential to call MC SHINE 24/7 Emergency Response Line if you have concerns about water in your home or business.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, water is one of the most common and costly disasters affecting U.S. residences, accounting for billions of dollars in losses to homeowners and renters annually.
Highlights
- Above all, keep yourself and your family safe. Your belongings and structures can be replaced.
- Stop or slow the source of the water, if possible.
- The earlier you start the restoration process, the easier and more affordable your solution will be. Call M.C. SHINE CLEANING & RESTORATION, and we can help you from start to finish if you run into any of these issues.
- The restoration process should begin within 24 hours.
How Quickly Does Water Damage Progress?
Even a seemingly harmless small leak can be problematic. Water spreads rapidly and absorbs into floors, walls, soft furnishings, and more.
How Much Water Does It Take to Cause Damage?
Water is an essential component of life, but not of the various materials in your home. In other words, you don’t need a whole lot of water to cause damage, though this depends mainly on the affected areas.
What to Do When There Is Water Damage?
There are some immediate practical and safety considerations when there’s a flood or major leak. Here are the first things to do.
- Remove pets and children from the house, especially if the damage is severe.
- If possible, gather up any accessible valuables and work to contain the leak by addressing the initial cause.
- Turn off the breaker box, but only if it is located in a dry part of the home. To avoid electric shock, do not access the breaker box if it is near water damage. If it is wet or near water, call the utility company and ask them to turn it off from their end. If that’s not possible, ask them to send someone out.
- If you find a plumbing leak coming from a burst pipe or plumbing fixture, shut your water off at the water main to prevent further leaking. If the water meter is located beyond standing water, shut your breaker box off first to avoid shock. If the breaker box isn’t in a dry area, skip this step entirely.
- Call your local water damage remediation company, M.C. SHINE, right away to start the repairs. We will work with your insurance company to ensure they have adequate documentation before repairs begin.
- Contact your insurance company as soon as you can and be honest about the extent of the water damage and its original cause. We can and will help you with this process as well.
- If the water damage comes from a backed-up sewer, or if the water is grey or black, wait for professionals before touching or dealing with the water in any way, as it is a serious biohazard risk.
How to Prevent Water Damage Around Your Home
While you can’t prepare for natural disasters, you can take a few preventative measures to avoid some damage to your house. Follow these essential steps to keep water from invading your home.
- Clean Your Gutters
- Check Your Chimney
- Waterproof Your Basement or Crawl Space
- Get a Sump Pump
- Get a Roof Inspection
- Caulk any and all Cracks
Additionally, the Institute for Business & Home Safety offers additional tips to prevent damage from water in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens if you don’t treat damage in your home from water?
Several problems can happen if you don’t treat the damage. One of the most severe issues that can occur is the weakening of your home’s structural integrity. Once the wood in your home absorbs water, it can rot and possibly collapse. Untreated water damage can also ruin your electrical systems, corrode plumbing, destroy ceilings and walls, and cause mold growth. A less severe but unpleasant consequence is floor warping. - How soon does mold start growing?
When a portion of your home gets wet or sustains damage, mold can begin growing in the space in just 24 hours, especially if the water damage is in a cool, dark place in your home. Mold growth will worsen if you don’t check for mold and address the moisture and humidity problems, eventually traveling to unaffected areas in your home. You must carry out water damage remediation services as quickly as possible, as this will help minimize the extent of the issue and the resulting mold growth. - Can M.C. SHINE CLEANING & RESTORATION handle everything if I have a water issue?
The answer to your question is absolutely! At MC Shine, we can handle everything from start to finish. MC Shine is 100% locally owned and operated. We are available 24/7. We have highly trained professionals who are insured and bonded. All of our first responders are IICRC certified. Our restoration services team can respond to a number of emergencies, including water damage, fire damage, smoke damage, sewer backups, etc.
Our mission at MC Shine is: To continuously strive for excellence within our community by serving our family and friends with exceptional standards!
