Many parts of the USA have humid climates throughout the year. According to iBuyer, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Hawaii are the most humid states in summer. The humidity increases the water damage, bringing a distinct set of challenges. As the mixture of moisture and warmth forms an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew, it turns that tiny leak somewhere in the house into a massive nuisance.
Insight Risk says that, unlike the outcome of the catastrophic events, which are abrupt and immediately visible, non-flood water damage worsens over time. Irrespective of the source, such as a leaky toilet, a burst pipe, or a failed supply line, water damage starts small and can spread, impacting your house’s interiors, until it’s detected and repaired.
Therefore, if you are going through a similar situation, you must take quick action. The blog will explain why responding immediately is necessary, and who to call.
The Silent Growth Of Mold and Mildew
Living in areas with high levels of humidity creates the perfect conditions for the silent growth of mold and mildew. The splotches can take over your walls or ceilings within 24 to 48 hours of water intrusion. This is the most significant reason to act immediately. In regions with drier climates, standing water can take time evaporating without causing biological effects, but in humid places, moisture remains in the air, allowing fungi to grow, resulting in the following issues:
Health Problems
When you inhale the mold spores, it tends to trigger health issues, such as allergies, respiratory problems, asthma attacks, and skin rashes. People who already have weak immune systems are more prone to catching these risks. Black mold, in particular, produces mycotoxins that can be especially harmful.
Damages The Structure
Beyond health risks, mold also damages building materials. The living microorganism feeds on organic substances such as wood, drywall, insulation, and fabric. With time, this can affect the structure of your house, asking you to pay for expensive repairs.
Constant Musty Smell
When you notice a constant musty smell in the house, that’s the mold talking to you. This scent can enter your belongings and entire home, making it a challenge to dwell under the same roof.
Boosts Deterioration Of The Structure
Water is a destructive element, but in environments consisting of immense humidity, the effect boosts the deterioration of the structure:
Wood Rots
Many homes in the U.S.A. are built from wood, which raises concern for rotting of house materials, especially if you are living in an area with high moisture. It absorbs the mixture from when the water damage initially started and the surrounding air as well, accelerating the decay. This wood rot results in compromised flooring, wall studs, and roof trusses.
Drywall Breaks Down
Your drywall is like a spine, rapidly soaking up water. In humidity, the wall not only swells and becomes brittle, but also invites mold for a feast. This can diminish the structure of your abode, resulting in collapsing sections or sagging.
Corrodes Metal
Extreme humidity corrodes metals, too. It’s not as immediately evident as the way you identify mold or wood rot, but over time, you will find rust in your pipes, electrical wires, and HVAC systems. This results in further damage and safety risks.
Electric System Compromises
Electricity and water prove to be a dangerous combination. In humid regions, the electric system is compromised as the risks linked with water damage increase:
Short Circuits and Fires
Water causes short circuits in electrical outlets, appliances, and wiring. In a humid atmosphere, the moisture lingers longer, elevating the chances of an electrical fire at your end, despite the removal of the initial water source. This can burn your house, resulting in major damage and costly repairs.
Risks of Electrocution
If water is standing near electrical sources, immediately leave that area as you are in a spot of severe electrocution risk. This is likely to happen in basements or crawl spaces, where water collection is usually taken for granted.
System Malfunctions
Consistent humidity can also corrode electrical components, even when there are no direct short circuits. This causes systems to malfunction and early appliance failure, as they stop working.
The Cost of Delay
The more you delay responding to the water table damage, the higher the bill for the repair costs:
Remediation Scope Increases
Did you overlook what might have been a quick and simple drying job? Now, since the damage is done, you have to call a water remediation team to remove the mold and restore your home. Avoid doing it yourself, as the project demands special equipment and detailed reconstruction.
Loss Of Personal Property
Delaying opens the ground for mold to invade your furniture, clothing, documents, and other personal things, resulting in damage that cannot be reversed and expensive replacements.
Complications From The Insurance
Most insurance policies do cover sudden and accidental water damage, but delaying reporting leads to reducing the damage, resulting in severe complications in claiming. You don’t even receive the full amount, only because you didn’t report on time. Do read your insurance policies as they have particular clauses regarding such a condition, especially if it’s due to neglect.
Seek Professional Help
You can try mopping up water and running fans to dry the areas, but we recommend you seek professional help from water damage restoration services, who can assist you like this:
Use Special Equipment
They use special equipment in the form of industrial-strength dehumidifiers, moisture meters, and air movers to dry out the specific areas. This removes hidden moisture as well.
Experts In Mold Remediation
Since they are professionals, they are trained to safely remove the mold, preventing it from spreading further.
Detects Hidden Damages
Water can seep into places you can’t even expect. Therefore, experts can identify and resolve hidden moisture inside walls, ceilings, and subflooring. These are regarded as critical humid environments, where mold can breed.
Conclusion
Immediately responding to water damage is important, especially in humid climates, as there is a higher mold growth risk, leading to health issues, damaging the structural integrity, causing short circuits, and much more. To treat the issue, contact Water Damage Boca Raton.