Blog Post

Water Damage and Mold: Why Water Damage Restoration Matters

Ryker Bingham | Sep 21, 2023

Water may seem innocuous, but when you have it in your home where it’s not supposed to be, it can cause significant damage. You might not think much about a small water stain on the ceiling or a drip in your attic when it rains. When that turns into major damage, though, you’ll realize how insidious water can really be. The good news is that water damage restoration can prevent issues, like mold, from forming.

In this article, we’ll go over topics, like:

The causes of mold infestation
Other effects of water damage
How water damage restoration can prevent these issues

Keep reading to learn more about why it’s important to have water damage restoration done to prevent major issues from coming up.

The Causes of Mold Infestation

Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp, dark environments. When water damage occurs in a home, it’s usually not only seen in visible, brightly lit areas. There is likely dampness behind walls, under the flooring, and in dark areas, such as the attic, basement, or closets.

Mold spores are everywhere. They usually float around in the air or settle on surfaces, but when they’re dry, they’re harmless. Once excess moisture starts accumulating, however, they can begin to multiply. As they increase in number, air quality can start to decline and the occupants of the house can start noticing health effects, as described by the New York Department of Health.

Some of the types of water damage that can cause mold growth include:

Poor ventilation. A lack of airflow, coupled with high humidity and moisture levels, can promote mold growth. You’ll probably notice this most in the basement, attic, and bathrooms. As moisture accumulates, it has nowhere to go if there’s faulty air conditioning or if there’s no window to open to allow for better ventilation.
Leaking roofs or plumbing issues. Since these often occur without an obvious surge of water, it can cause quite a bit of damage, including mold growth, over a long period of time. If you do notice the issue and don’t get the existing water damage addressed, mold can multiply even after you fix the roof or the pipe.
Flooding and storm damage. Natural disasters can cause massive amounts of water to infiltrate the home. To complicate matters, you might also lose power (and the ability to use fans and the air conditioning system), or you may need to vacate the home – leaving it dark and still. This can exacerbate the situation and lead to large areas of mold.

Other Effects of Water Damage

In addition to mold, water infiltration can cause other types of damage. Structural damage is the most serious, and it can include cracked walls, rotting wood beams, sagging ceilings, foundation problems, and soft spots in the floors. These can affect not only your comfort in your home but also your safety.

If you have property damage due to water, it will also reduce the value of your home. Untreated issues, like the smell and appearance of mold and sagging ceilings, will certainly cause buyers to think twice before bidding on your property. Even if you aren’t planning on selling your home right now, wise property owners are always thinking of ways to increase and maintain their property values.

How Water Damage Restoration Can Prevent These Issues

As soon as you notice water damage, you can immediately begin mitigating the issue to prevent mold and other issues from forming if you contact a qualified water damage restoration specialist. Here are some of the ways they can prevent mold damage to your home:

They’ll conduct an assessment to identify the source of the water and the extent of the damage. From there, they’ll create a plan to dry up the moisture and get your home back on track. By removing the moisture from the air and surfaces and improving airflow, you might be able to avoid mold growth.
Excess water will be removed using their specialized drying equipment. This will help prevent further damage to your belongings and structure, and it can improve the air quality significantly.
They’ll clean and sanitize everything – removing bacteria and fungus spores. This can prevent mold from multiplying and make the air and surfaces healthier for you and your family.
The building restoration company will determine what can be repaired or restored and what needs to be replaced. The goal is to get your home back to its original, pre-damage condition, and it might necessitate replacing some items and materials.
They can make recommendations for further action. You might need to improve your drainage systems or have the roof replaced, and your provider can refer you to the correct professionals. If you do have mold infestation, they can recommend someone to safely and effectively mitigate the situation, too.

Conclusion

Water damage can lead to mold, but working with a water damage restoration company can help reduce the chances of lasting damage. Being aware of the problem is the first step in combating mold or structural issues, and working with a dedicated specialist is the next step.