The Dangers of Severe Water Damage On Your Property

Water damage is one of the most common and detrimental issues that can affect a home or business. Left unchecked, water damage allows mold to grow, ruins belongings, and deteriorates the integrity of a building’s structure over time. 

For homeowners and business owners, it’s crucial to act quickly when severe water damage occurs to avoid safety risks and the exponential growth of repair costs down the road. 

At ProTech Services, we are Garland’s lead water damage restoration company. We’ve seen it all and are ready to help you prevent some of the dangers that come with unchecked severe water damage.

What Qualifies as Severe Water Damage?

While any amount of excess water can lead to problems, water damage is considered an emergency situation if some of these conditions are present on your property.

There are visible signs of water damage beyond the initial source. This indicates water has spread. Signs of spread water damage include water stains on walls and ceilings, soaked carpets, peeling paint, and damaged wallpaper.

If your drywall, flooring, wood, and other materials show signs of warping, rotting, or other structural damage, you have a case of severe water damage on your hands.

Finally, if you can visibly see mold growth, even if there isn’t standing water on the surface, there are water damage problems that a team like ours can quickly tackle.

The Dangers of Lingering Water Damage

Water not quickly and thoroughly removed from a building can cause a number of hazards and expenses. Let’s get into some of the biggest dangers that lurk beneath water left sitting for 48 hours or more.

Mold Growth

Mold spores are present in any environment and will rapidly multiply when given excess moisture. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, mold can begin growing within 48 hours of water intrusion. 

Exposure to elevated levels of household mold can lead to mold allergy symptoms, trigger asthma attacks, and even lead to respiratory infections.

Structural Weakening

Prolonged exposure to moisture causes wood, drywall, and other structural materials to warp, deteriorate, and become weakened over time. This makes the building more susceptible to future structural failures.

Health Hazards 

In addition to mold, lingering dampness allows other biological contaminants to grow. Bacteria and dust mites thrive in humid environments. Viruses, including norovirus and hepatitis A, can spread through contaminated water.

Knowing When to Call for Water Damage Restoration

Water removal is time-sensitive. Since our inception in 1986, we believe you should always call our water damage specialists immediately if:

• There is more than a small amount of water present.
• Water has seeped under materials like carpeting and padding.
• Standing water remains beyond 48 hours.
• Signs of structural damage are visible.
• Mold growth is present.

We take calls 24/7, making it easy for us to get right to work. With a response within minutes of taking a call, our team uses specialized equipment to fully dry all materials and prevent mold growth. 

We contain the spread of water quickly, minimizing damage to belongings. From there, we’ll get to work on full restoration that makes your property a safe, functional place for business and family matters.

Our goal is to get your property restored and healthy again so you can move forward.

Don’t Wait! The Costs Grow Exponentially 

It’s tempting to try DIY water removal using towels, fans, and a wet/dry vacuum. However, the average homeowner does not have the proper equipment to extract all absorbed water and moisture from under materials. While you may think you’ve eliminated all visible water, moisture hidden in walls, insulation, and crawl spaces continues to breed mold and decay materials. 

For business owners, the financial consequences escalate further based on revenue interruptions and impacts to inventory and equipment. Don’t let the costs get out of hand due to lack of urgent response.

Protect What Matters With ProTech Services

Severe water damage can be extremely stressful. But proving you care by taking quick action helps you gain control of a disastrous situation. Calling the water damage restoration experts at ProTech Services ensures quick, professional damage remediation. 

We understand your property or business is more than just a building – it represents the safety and security of your family or your livelihood. At ProTech, we focus on caring for what matters most.

If disaster strikes your property, who will you trust to handle it promptly and professionally? Don’t allow financial, health, and safety consequences to spiral by letting water damage fester. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.