What Kind of Damage Can Standing Water Cause?

9/1/2017 (Permalink)

A few inches of standing water may look like a small problem, but it can be deceptively dangerous, whether it is inside or outside of your home. While you may only see damage that is caused on the surface, like paint or carpet damages, the water that seeps under the surface is capable of causing more serious damage if it isn’t properly removed and dried out.  Read on to learn more about the kinds of damage standing water can cause to your home and property.

Standing water on the exterior of the property can cause problems in many ways, regardless of whether it comes from an excessive amount of rain, a pipe leak or a sewage backup. However, the source of the water can make a large difference as far as the type of damage it will cause to your property. Standing rainwater can contain pieces of debris, bacteria and chemicals from pest control. Left to accumulate, this water can damage grass and landscaping features, as well as eating away at the roots of the trees that are nearby.

Any type of water can seep into the foundations of your home, and if left long enough, can soak through the foundation into the floors. This causes a sort of pervasive damage to the foundations because it rots away the material from the inside out. The damage from this can appear years in the future as the foundation erodes and the home shifts as a result, or cracks appear in the foundation.

The risks standing water poses inside your home are similar to those posed to the exterior, but more severe. Whether the water comes from a sewage backup, water leak or outdoor flooding that seeps in, it can pose damage to the structure of your home, including walls, floors and carpets. The additional issue posed inside your home is, of course, mold. The longer water is allowed to seep into the textiles of your home, the harder it will be to properly dry out the items and the greater the chance for eventual mold growth.

If the water that floods your home comes from a sewage backup, the chance of bacteria being present becomes much greater. Even water that looks clean can contain bacteria that are invisible to the naked eye. However, even clean water will draw bacteria if it is allowed to stand in your home. The associated smell may be difficult to remove from the structure of your home and your furniture, and may even require expert restoration in order to be returned to normal.

Depending on the cause of the water that floods your home and whether it is covered, all of the damage and restoration needed may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy.