3 Common Types of Secondary Damage After a Flood

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

Three Common Types Of Secondary Damage

Secondary damage is to a flood what aftershocks are to an earthquake: they're the less-obvious types of damage that occur after the main event. After a flood, that includes everything from black mold to a busted Xbox. Without the help of an experienced water damage mitigation company, these headaches can happen long after your rugs have dried. Here are three of the most common types of second-tier damage Grosse Pointe Park, MI, homeowners experience following a flood.

1. Electrical Damage
Water in your electrical outlets is no joke. It can be hard to detect and even harder to rebound from. Water in your sockets has the power to brick your electronics or knock out electricity to your entire home.
This potential for a shocking surprise is one of many reasons why cleanup after flooding should be left to an experienced water damage mitigation company.

2. Black Mold
Mold is another serious concern after a flood thanks to the high humidity that flooding creates. If that flood was in your basement, crawl space or another dark place where water likes to linger, you've created the perfect conditions for mold and mildew.
Like water in your electrical system, mold is often difficult to find. For this reason, it's imperative to act fast after a flood to begin the drying process and minimize the potential for more significant damage.

3. Weakened Building Materials
After a water event occurs, it's important not to overlook your home itself. Neglected water can lead to rotten wood and corroded metal. Once these structural elements begin to deteriorate, it spells big problems for both your home and your budget.
Additionally, keep an eye out for water damage that may lead to:

• Buckling floors
  
• Tiles separating from the ground
  
• Cracked tiles
  
• Sagging plaster
  
• Cracked drywall
  
  

Softening ceiling plaster or the potential for black mold is difficult for homeowners to detect after a flood, especially when they're blinded by rage and sorting through their soggy stuff. Knowing what to look for, however, can help both you and your restoration crew keep damage to a minimum.