What Damage Can Water Cause?

9/27/2018 (Permalink)

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Because our work revolves around repairing damage caused by water (not to mention fire and mold), we at SERVPRO of North Hollywood sometimes forget that home and business owners don't always realize just how much damage a little water can cause to their property.

If ignored, water damage can grow more severe over time and become more difficult and expensive to repair. It can also cause additional problems, such as mold growth, so it's important to have the cause of water damage both quickly and properly assessed to prevent the damage from becoming worse.

Here are a few examples of the kind of damage even a little water can cause to your property if left unchecked.

Pipes and Plumbing Fixtures

Leaks from pipes and other plumbing fixtures such as faucets, shower heads and toilets are a common cause of water damage. So before the water has even spread, damage has likely already happened in the form of rust and corrosion to pipes, fittings or other metal that comes in contact with the water.

To mitigate further damage from plumbing leaks, be sure to have a licensed plumber inspect and repair or replace damaged plumbing systems as soon as possible.

Walls, Ceiling and Floor

Whether it is the slow drip from a leaky pipe or duct work or the rush of flood water from a storm or a sewage and toilet overflow, your walls, ceiling and floor are likely targets for water damage. Drenched plaster, soaked carpets and ceiling tiles weakened by the flow of water are obvious areas in need of repair and restoration, but don't overlook what you cannot see.

Water can also cause damage inside of walls and under carpet, risking rot to the wood frames and floors if not properly dried out. And, of course, perpetual dampness can also create the perfect conditions for mold to grow and spread, requiring professional mold remediation.

Furniture and Other Possessions

While repairing or replacing water damaged pipes and carpets can be aggravating, dealing with the loss of personal items can be heartbreaking. Once water seeps into furniture or worse, papers and treasured photographs, the clean up should only be handled by a highly-trained and certified team of professional restoration experts.

Before the worst water damage happens, call SERVPRO of North Hollywood. With years of experience and advanced technology, we'll work to clean and restore your water damaged property and preserve your precious keepsakes.