443-973-6737
443-973-6737
Water damage is very common and unpleasant for numerous people who own homes or commercial establishments. Be it a little hole in the roof, a leaky faucet, or a flooded basement, people can least expect it. Indeed, it can be observed that a less-discussed effect of water damage is its effect on indoor air quality.
More often than not, people are not aware of the negative consequences of humidity, mold formation, and inadequate air circulation as key causes of impaired air quality in buildings. In the long run, poor IAQ could cause health complications and even worsen the building structure. Specifically, the focus of this article will be on the long-term consequences of water damage and its effects on indoor air quality and available options for minimizing such impacts.
Flooding is not just the stains on the walls or the wetting of carpets; it is a far bigger problem with long-term effects. If water finds its way into your house or your commercial establishment, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for several airborne issues.
Excess water in the air also causes high levels of humidity, which can cause discomfort and worsen respiratory illnesses in living or working environments. However, as a rule, the extremely dangerous may be hidden out of sight. Water penetrates through the walls through drywall, insulation, and wood and eventually leads to concealed damage that emits dangerous gases into the room.
For instance, most stuff in the construction of a house can decay and emit VOCs into the air. The chemicals are known to cause headaches, dizziness, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. In severe cases, prolonged exposure to VOCs can cause more severe health effects to human health. When materials are affected by water, they are likely to deteriorate faster and also lead to poor-quality air as time progresses.
One of the greatest risks to indoor air quality after water damage is mold. Mold requires water to grow and can develop as early as 24 to 48 hours after water enters a building. Once it takes hold, it is highly contagious, and the spores that all the people within the vicinity can inhale.
These mold spores can cause a number of respiratory diseases, especially for people suffering from asthma, allergies, or compromised immunity. Even people without any other health complaints can develop signs of irritation, such as coughing, sneezing, eye problems, and nasal congestion, after being exposed to the toxic mold-contaminated air. These symptoms worsen when mold is present for a long time and could cause serious respiratory issues in the future.
Mold is not always seen with the naked eye. Although you may see black or green colors on walls or ceilings, mold may be behind the walls, under the carpets, or in the ventilation systems. This makes it particularly dangerous because you will not know that mold is the main cause of degrading air quality until it gets out of hand.
Breathing contaminated air caused by water damage is especially dangerous because it poses long-term health effects. Some people might show symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, or eye irritation the minute they inhale toxic substances in the air. In contrast, others might take years or even months to show signs of health complications after inhaling hazardous substances.
Inhalation of mold and other irritant particles in the air causes bronchitis, asthma, and even more extreme respiratory diseases. These effects are more experienced by children, elderly people, and those with other diseases.
Also, direct contact with chemical pollutants emanating from spoiled building materials augments the chances of contracting severe health complications, including respiratory infections, heart diseases, and some types of cancer. However, it is important to consider the effect of inhaling all these toxins over time. That's why it is necessary to respond to water damage immediately once it occurs to avoid negative impacts on one's future health condition.
Water damage is one of the hardest things to detect since it occurs behind walls and surfaces of buildings. It may begin with a little seepage or dampness on the basement floor. Still, it can spread to other sections and even entire walls and ceilings, leaving the perfect conditions for mold, bacteria, and other harmful pollutants to thrive.
The problem with water damage is that often, you do not know that there is a problem until the air quality inside the structure is already compromised. Water damage behind the walls, under floors, and in other hidden areas remains undiscovered for months, gradually deteriorating the building structure and continuously degrading the quality of the air inside the building.
Due to the house's circulation system, particles from decaying materials and mold can easily spread around. However, minor water damage can cause indoor air quality to deteriorate if not addressed from the beginning.
When there is water damage, a strong focus needs to be placed on repairing indoor air quality as soon as possible. Here's what you should do to get your home or business back to a safe, healthy state:
For the people living in Ellicott City, whether homeowners or business people, Hippo Carpet Cleaning Ellicott City offers a lot more than cleaning carpets; they bring forth solutions that help customers regain their indoor air quality after water damage. We understand how much faster and more efficient it is to address these matters with the necessity to prevent severe health consequences.
It is always advisable to prevent water damage to structures as much as possible. Still, when it occurs, it is important to avoid other structural damage that could lead to poor IAQ. Periodically, it is necessary to check the water damage in your premises, focusing on those areas of your home most likely to be flooded, including basements, attics, and bathrooms.
Selecting the best dehumidifier to use in the house may go a long way in keeping the structures free of mold since it is very effective in areas that have high moisture content. It is also important to check that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is working. It is recommended that filters and clean air ducts be replaced to reduce the circulation of mold spores and other nasties around your space.
Finally, if you feel that there could be a secret water damage issue in your home or business, you should contact a water damage restoration service. Companies like Hippo Carpet Cleaning Ellicott City not only help to solve the problem of water damage and fix all the visible problems but also follow all the measures to restore and even enhance the quality of the air inside the premises.
The consequences of the negative influence of water damage on indoor air quality are rather severe for the health of the population and the stability of the construction of your home or office, from mold growth to the release of other chemicals from affected materials, water damage results in many issues that may not be seen but are likely to have adverse effects on your air quality for many years.
Water damage in a home or business establishment must be tackled immediately to prevent anything worse from happening to the indoor air quality. If you have ever had a water damage situation, don't hesitate - to contact Hippo Carpet Cleaning Ellicott City for the best water damage professionals. Our staff will be able to assess the extent of the damage and advise on the best way to renovate your house or office to make it safe for you and your family or employees to live or work in. Call us now at 443-973-6737 for your initial appointment and join the ranks of people whose indoor air is healthy.
