Can water damage make you sick? Let’s find out. Water damage occurs when excess water infiltrates a home or commercial property, affecting building materials, air quality, and overall safety. Sources include roof leaks, plumbing leaks, sewage backups, flash floods, storm water, and contaminated water from various sources. If untreated, water damage can lead to mold growth, bacteria growth, and additional health hazards.
Eric Allison is a seasoned professional in property restoration, serving as the primary contact and founder of Preferred Restoration Services, LLC, based in Tustin, California. With a career spanning over two decades, Eric has developed extensive expertise in addressing fire, water, and mold damage, ensuring properties are restored to their pre-loss condition.
Identifying signs of water damage early can help prevent potential dangers. Look for water stains on walls and ceilings, musty odors, unusual odors, peeling paint, mildew growth, and structural damage. A moisture meter can detect excess moisture in building materials, ensuring early detection of trouble areas.
Water damage poses alarming health risks, especially when mold growth and bacteria growth occur. The presence of airborne bacteria, harmful bacteria, and black mold spores can cause severe health conditions. Exposure to contaminated water or stagnant water increases the risk of respiratory infections, allergic diseases, and neurological symptoms.
The growth of mold, including black mold and aspergillus mold, can trigger allergic reactions, breathing difficulty, and trouble breathing. Mold spores can cause irritation in the respiratory tract, leading to asthma symptoms, runny nose, stuffy nose, and skin rashes. Exposure to mould spores over time may contribute to chronic diseases.
Flood waters, raw sewage, and black water – water contaminated with harmful pathogens – create a ground for bacteria. Direct contact with floodwater can lead to skin infections, eye irritation, and minor symptoms like skin irritation. In severe cases, drinking water contaminated with bacteria can cause serious health issues such as brain disease and chronic fatigue.
Poor air quality in a water-damaged house can lead to respiratory issues, including respiratory infections and lung diseases. Exposure to airborne health hazards like mold spores and bacteria can worsen asthma symptoms, cause shortness of breath, and lead to chronic respiratory conditions. Professional air duct cleaning services can help improve indoor air quality.
Untreated water damage can compromise structural integrity, making a building unsafe and unstable. Accumulation of moulds and excess moisture weakens wood, drywall, and other materials. Electrical dangers, including electrical shocks, can occur when water infiltrates electrical systems. Water damage restoration professionals can assess and repair structural damage and electrical hazards.
There are different types of water damage, classified based on contamination levels:
A water damage restoration company can provide essential services like basement water removal, water damage repair, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system cleaning. Professional water damage restoration ensures safe removal of excess moisture, mold remediation, and the repair of water damage to restore a property to its original condition.
To prevent health consequences from water damage, take these steps:
Yes, mold exposure can cause allergic reactions, respiratory infections, and neurological symptoms. Black mold exposure may lead to serious health conditions.
Common symptoms include breathing issues, chronic fatigue, skin rashes, runny nose, eye irritation, and trouble breathing.
If your home has bad smells, musty odor, or unusual odors, it may indicate bacteria growth. A water damage restoration company can assess the situation.
Floodwaters can contain harmful bacteria, making water unsafe. Water filtration and testing are necessary to ensure safe drinking water.
Yes, professional water damage restoration ensures complete removal of contaminated water, prevents mold growth, and restores indoor air quality.
Visit your nearby local emergency responder or contact us today for more information.
2650 Walnut Ave. Ste. Y
Tustin, CA 92780
