Effects of Flood Damage to Indoor Air Quality

During flood damage in Decatur GA the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to do water damage restoration in Decatur GA and flood damage restoration in Decatur GA  contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

This article discusses problems about the effects of food damage to indoor air quality, as well as other potential effects of flooding, on long-term indoor air quality and the steps you can take to lessen these effects. Although the information contained here emphasizes residential flood damage repair in Decatur GA, it is also applicable to other types of buildings like commercial and industrial.

Often, we think that inundation issues in homes come from wild weather and big storms. However, broken water supply lines, appliance failures such as washing machines as well as damaged roofs allowing rainfalls in your house may also cause important water damage and eventually lead to flooding.

This water is considered as “clean water” which does not pose harm to humans and isn’t contaminated with sewage, bacteria or viruses. But actions need to be taken very rapidly to avoid further damage.

Water spreads to other areas rapidly damaging the flooring, the walls and the furniture on its way. More specifically, wood and metal furniture, as well as carpet, can be stained and discolored and paper goods will more likely swell and split.

 

Furniture will keep deteriorating and swelling, the water will also begin to penetrate the plasterboard and the finished building materials causing a musty odor.

Please note that the water damage involving clean water at the start may quickly become a greywater situation. Once clean water enters in contact with other surfaces and materials, as they will start dissolving and release contaminants over time will change the conditions of the water to grey.

Standing water is a breeding ground for microorganisms, which can become airborne and be inhaled. Where floodwater contains sewage or decaying animal carcass infectious disease is of concern. Even when flooding due to rainwater, the growth of microorganisms can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. For these health reasons, and to lessen structural damage, all standing water should be removed as quickly as possible.

The clean water will be upgraded to a grey category, which will cause beginning mold growth, along with a very strong musty odor impacting the Indoor Air Quality. Obviously furniture, plasterboard, and other porous building materials will keep swelling and disintegrating and electronic components will also be affected and may malfunction.

The greywater will become completely unsanitary and turn into black water as chemicals and other contaminants from building materials and furniture dissolve into the water. Not only will it contribute to water contamination but also to further discoloration and destruction compromising all building materials as well as contents. Mold spores will keep growing which will affect dramatically the Indoor Air Quality and a Decatur Ga mold removal company and a general contractor in Decatur GA like ServiceMaster by Lovejoy is required to enter the contaminated area.

Time is crucial when an important water event such as flooding occurs in your property involving any type of water. The quicker your water damaged house is taken care of by a  professional water damage restoration company such as ServiceMaster by Lovejoy, the less destruction is caused and the easier the recovery process. Contact ServiceMaster by Lovejoy at 678-293-0297 for all your mold inspection and remediation needs in Decatur, GA, and nearby counties. Visit https://www.servicemasterbylovejoy.com.