After a severe storm or a broken pipe, you may find yourself dealing with several inches of standing water in your basement. Is this a cause for concern? Is this something you can handle on your own? What do you do next? There are probably a million questions running through your head, not the least of which is does standing water pose a risk to my family or my home?
Standing Water and Your Home
If your sump pump fails to rid your home of standing water, you could be in for some trouble (and expensive repairs). The average water damage claim is $5,531.
Water Intrusion and Property Damage
Perhaps the most obvious side effect of standing water is property damage. And because water damage is a progressive issue, the longer you wait to deal with standing water, the greater the damage to your home: your carpets, your furniture, your walls, and so much more.
Standing Water and Electrocution
Water plus electricity do not mix. Actually, we take that back. The problem is that water and electricity mix too well. This can pose a serious risk to you and your loved ones. So please, please, please avoid standing water. Wait for a water damage company, utility company, fire department, or a licensed electrician to ensure the area is safe.
Stagnant Water and Your Health
Standing water can be a haven for bacteria, especially if the source of the water intrusion is your sewer line or some outside source, such as flooding. This degree of standing water can involve what is known as black water – water that has come into contact with fecal matter, a haven for harmful bacteria and disease-causing pathogens. On top of this, standing water this is not dealt with in a timely manner can become stagnant, further putting your family and your pets at risk.
Water in Your Basement Can Lead to Mold
Mold needs just three things to grow: moisture, food, and optimal temperature. And it just so happens that standing water provides plenty of moisture to help promote mold growth, which is not only a nuisance, but also another risk to your health. Mold exposure may aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms, especially in children and people with compromised immune systems, and, in rare cases, has been linked to pulmonary hemorrhage and memory loss, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
And More!
Emergency Water Damage Restoration
As an IICRC Certified company, ServiceMaster of Baltimore technicians are trained to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth, contain damage, remove contamination, and dry structural materials. We are ready to help with certified licensed restoration technicians on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Click Here to request an estimate today!
Call (410) 498-8030 for Emergency Restoration!
With over 57 years of experience in helping business owners and homeowners, like you, with water damage restoration and mold remediation, ServiceMaster of Baltimore is the best choice for the job. Our goal is to restore your property as quickly as possible and with the least amount of inconvenience to you.
Hopefully you have found our blog, “The Dangers of Standing Water in Your Home,” informative and helpful. Continue to check back weekly for more helpful tips.
