Water Damage and the Dangers of Standing Water

Water Damage and the Dangers of Standing Water

Standing water in your home following a flood can have disastrous secondary effects if it is not properly cleaned up and remedied by water damage restorations professionals like your friends at Supreme Restoration in Dallas, Texas. While flooding in your home or commercial building will cause damage to your furniture and personal belongings, there are far worse effects of allowing standing water in your home following a flood. Here are just some of the dangers of standing water if the issue is not addressed correctly and in a timely manner.

Bacteria; E. coli and Salmonella

You’ve probably heard the names of bacteria that can cause severe illness when people are exposed to them. E. coli and Salmonella are just some of the bacteria that can be found in standing water following a flood, especially when that standing water has been contaminated by sewage water. Yet even in the absence of sewage water, standing water from flooding can become the perfect breeding conditions for bacteria to develop. When your home floods, it’s important to get rid of the standing water as soon as possible so that the damage restoration experts can decontaminate and repair your property if needed.

Viruses

Beyond bacteria, water-transmitted viruses are also one of the dangers of standing water after a flood. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified these water-transmitted viruses, like Norovirus and Adenovirus among various other pathogens, classified as having moderate to high health implications. This can make the stagnant water in your home dangerous for you, your family, and your pets.

Mold

When standing water is allowed to set into the walls, floors, and ceilings of your home, they can begin to spawn mold spores. Mold is a fungal organism that grows when moisture is present. While there are many different types of mold, the most dangerous mold associated with standing water after a flood is Stachybotrys chartarum, a.k.a. Black Mold.

When exposed to black mold, you may become sick with a variety of illnesses that target your respiratory system so it is important to have mold remediation as soon as possible.

Parasites

Have you ever turned the filter for your pool off for a few days only to find that it has become the perfect breeding ground for life? That’s because water is the essence of life and given the right conditions, just about everything can grow in stagnant water— including parasites. Parasites that grow in standing water can be as small as bacteria and as large as worms and both can cause you to become sick if you are exposed to them.

Structural Damage

Finally, beyond the risks and dangers that standing water can pose to your health, standing water can also pose a risk to your livelihood; your home. When the building materials of your home; wood, drywall, and other porous materials begin to absorb moisture they become weak and brittle, and eventually, they will rot. Structural damage after water damage will require that you contact a water damage restoration company in order to restore your home in order to prevent further decay.

Contact Supreme Restoration

If you have experienced a flood in your home recently or fear that you may have lasting damage from standing water, do not hesitate to contact Supreme Restoration. Our team of dedicated professionals is here to help you assess the damage and provide you with the highest quality of water damage restoration work. Contact us today.