What Happens When You Leave Water Damage Untreated?

If your home or commercial property is experiencing a moisture issue, you may not notice at first if it’s a small amount. However, water damage of any size or scope will eventually make itself known. Left untreated, water damage can have a devastating impact on your property and everyone in it. Whether you’re a homeowner or business owner, you should take immediate action to mitigate the issue. 

The Dangers of Water Damage 

Take a look below at some of the consequences of water damage. 

• Weaker Floors, Walls, & Drywall - If your floors and walls are made of wood, they can absorb water and end up warped. Walls, floors, and drywall are essential components of your home or commercial property, so this is a serious consequence of water damage. 
• Decreased Curb Appeal - Water damage can cause an aesthetic issue for property. For your home, decreased curb appeal means lower home value. For businesses, water damage can create an aesthetic issue that turns away potential customers, investors, and even employees. 
• Safety Hazards - When water damage reaches your electrical system, the results can be dangerous. Damaged circuits, electrical shorts, and fire hazards are just some of the safety problems that can result from water damage. 
• Moldy Carpets - Water damage can obviously deteriorate carpets and weaken the subfloors underneath, but another result can be mold. Mold thrives in moist, dark areas, like the space under a water-damaged carpet. Mold can cause a wide range of health issues, so it’s something you want to avoid. Worse, you’ll have to replace your carpets and other flooring altogether if the moisture is bad enough.
• Health Hazards - Mold isn’t the only thing that can grow in the moisture in your home or commercial property. Other harmful bacteria and fungi can grow in your furniture and other moisture-damaged areas. These contaminants can make the air dangerous to breathe in for family members in your home or employees and customers in your business. 
• Attraction of Insects – Insects like silverfish are attracted to humid, moist environments and are more likely to want to live in a property with the presence of water or moisture. 
• Corroded Pipes – Water leaks can corrode your pipes, turning into more leaks and costly pipe replacements. 
• Damaged Concrete - The concrete used in the foundational areas of your property can be damaged over time as a result of water leaks and moisture. Ruined concrete will weaken the foundation of your building, so it’s essential to get rid of moisture before the damage worsens. 

Water damage can have an impact on the appearance and value of your property as well as your finances and health. While a flood can make the presence of water obvious, smaller leaks may be more difficult to notice. Musty odors, buckling floors, peeling paint, water stains, and mold can all be signs of a water damage issue. If you have noticed water damage in your home or business, call on professionals immediately to provide water damage restoration services. 

Contact Us for Water Damage Restoration 

From water damage cleanup to water drying and dehumidification, we can rid your property of moisture. In Austin, TX and the surrounding areas, WOW Total Cleaning & Restoration is the company to call when you need water extraction, drying, odor removal and decontamination, structural drying and repair, and more. We offer 24/7 emergency response so that you can minimize damage to your property by calling us immediately for service. 

At WOW Total Cleaning & Restoration, we serve both residential and commercial clients, so contact us today or keep our number handy for all of your future emergency response needs. We are ready to provide the restoration services you need along with documentation for insurance purposes to make the process as stress-free as possible.