Three Reasons Not to Ignore Water Damage After Your Basement Floods
If your basement recently flooded, you may think that the work was done after you got rid of the excess water and opened a few windows. However, there is most likely some water damage still present in your basement that you should not ignore for the reasons that follow.
Wiring Inside the Walls May Be Affected
If the flood water ran down your walls or was standing against them, there is a good chance that it penetrated their surfaces. If this happened, the electrical wiring that feeds your basement may have been affected.
When water comes into contact with wiring, it can quickly corrode the insulated covering as well as the metal wires themselves. Either of these issues could cause a short that could result in an electrical fire.
Until you have your basement inspected, you should avoid using any outlets and lights in your basement. Just to be safe, you may also want to turn off the breaker feeding the basement.
Damp Surfaces Encourage Mold Growth
Another issue is that leaving behind damp surfaces in your basement can cause is mold growth. Any porous surface in your basement, such as wood, drywall, or even concrete, can sustain fungal growth if kept moist and dark.
Not only does mold growth cause health issues, especially in people with breathing problems or allergies, but it can also cause rapid deterioration of the surface on which it is growing. The blanket of growth never allows the surface to fully dry, leading to the spreading of mold and the destruction of the material beneath it.
Wet Wood Can Lead to a Termite Infestation
Along with the ability to sustain mold growth, wet wood could also lead the way for another serious issue if termites discover it. If the wood is already moist and starting to rot, the insects may decide it is an ideal place to nest and feast, since the wood will be more easily digested.
Additionally, if the wood already has mold growing on its surface, the termites may be even more attracted to it. The mycotoxins that are given off by the mold soak into the wood, making it a tasty treat for the termites.
If you have any water damage caused by a flooded basement, you should not ignore it, as it could lead to further problems in the future. Contact a water damage restoration service as soon as possible to have them inspect your basement and discuss your options for restoring the wet structures.