What you DIDN’T Know About Water Damage

If there is standing water in your home, do you know where the water is coming from? Could it be from a sewage backup or something similar? If you aren’t sure where the water came from or what’s in that water, we highly recommend not wading through it.

In an instance like that, a licensed restoration company, like All Brite in Gilford, would have its crew don full safety gear such as hazmat suits, respirators, and boots, before entering the water. There could be a lot of bacteria in the water if it’s a sewage backup, and exposure could make you and others in the home very sick. It’s best to wait for professionals to arrive on scene before trying to assess the damage and find the source.

There are different classifications for flood water, the worst of which is category 3 – meaning sewage or other biological contamination. If you aren’t sure where the water is coming from and don’t know that clean(ish), don’t go in it. That special equipment we talked about above will keep the crews safe from any biological contamination lurking in the water. Allowing water like that to come in contact with your skin puts you and others at risk of illness and infection.

Did You Know

• Water can seep deep into wall cavities and create pockets of saturation?
• Those pockets could remain unseen for a long time. However, just because you don’t see visible evidence of water damage, know that damage is likely being done to drywall, wood, or whatever other substance it might be sitting on.
• Just because the cause of the water damage is stopped, such as re-caulking the door wall we mentioned above, doesn’t mean there hasn’t been water penetrating at that spot for a while and other damage could be lurking within the wall.
• Mold growth happens quickly when building materials are exposed to moisture. Some experts say it happens in as little as 24 to 48 hours. If not properly treated, the mold could spread.
• Homeowners insurance policies don’t always cover sewage backups. If you aren’t exactly sure what your insurance policy covers, it’s a good idea to set up a meeting with your local insurance agent sooner than later to go over your policy and talk about any additional coverage you may want to add. Often, adding on coverage for items like sewage overflow or backup only adds a few dollars to the premium every month, but can go a long way in offering home and business owners peace of mind that if they were to have a loss like that, their insurance policy would have them covered.

It is critical to act quickly once you’ve discovered sewage water problem in your home. The sooner the drying and cleaning process begins, the less damage the water will be able to cause – and the fewer places it will be able to travel. Keep you and your family or building occupants safe by contacting a professional sewage cleanup crew to return your property back to normal.