1. Electrical Problems. Rarely do we think of water damage as having anything to do with electricity, but when water invades a home it can wreak havoc on the entire electrical system. Water can leak places that you don’t even see, making it possible for electrical wires, light switches, and outlets to become seriously damaged.
These problems can result in electrical failure or even malfunction, making it necessary to either repair or replace entire electrical systems. While fire and water don’t mix, water damage can still cause electrical issues that result in fires that can burn the home completely and put your safety at risk!
2.Wood Damage. While water leaves obvious damage to surfaces like walls and flooring, these can be ripped up and replaced, or else sprayed with mold killer and then repainted. Unfortunately, there is plenty of damage to the wood that doesn’t always meet the eye. Wood framing can quickly become rotten from the water that it was exposed to, causing structural issues that can’t be ignored.
The damaged wood can go on to dry rot and even be the perfect home for insects if it’s not replaced. To replace the wood can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on where the damage was done.
3. Issues with Mold. No matter how big or small your leak, water damage of all sizes can quickly promote a growth of mold and mildew. Even if you manage to get the water up within a few hours, mold spores have likely already taken root. What starts out as a leaky toilet while you’re on a weekend vacation can turn into a problem that is a battle for years.
Mold spores float in the air, meaning that they can’t be contained to one place, making their way throughout the entire residence and taking root in carpets, basements, in the baseboards, and behind wallboard. While any water damage can be dangerous, mold is an especially problematic threat to one’s health. Children and pregnant women often have the harshest reactions to mold, experiencing everything from rashes to asthma attacks.
4.Foundation Damage. When it comes to our homes, Andrew the Home Buyer realizes that the foundation is one of the last things we think about or pay attention to. Generally, we just imagine that the foundation or basement is set in place and will stay where it’s been put. But, sadly enough, the damage from water is powerful enough to even destroy a home’s foundation out from under it!
andrew-the-home-buyer-in-arizonaA damaged retainer wall or clogged gutters can result in water running directly against the house and soaking into the ground where it wreaks havoc on the foundation. The water does its damage by swelling the ground and putting pressure against the foundation, ultimately causing the concrete to crack from the pressure and even cause the basement to flood. In the end, the entire house could shift, crack, or even collapse! The costs to repair a foundation issue alone can be around $4,000, and this doesn’t touch any damage done to the house itself.
What’s the Best Option?
If your house has suffered water damage, it can be frustrating to know where to start. Even if your insurance company will pay for the obvious damage, what about issues that may arise months or years down the road? Andrew the Home Buyer suggests that you get your house examined and get complete estimates on the damage along with an idea of what issues may arise later. If the damage was minimal, you may be able to cover the costs with just a few hundred dollars and expect no issues in the future. However, in more serious cases, your best option may be to sell the house outright and purchase something or build something new.
Andrew the Home Buyer understands that this is a difficult decision, but he’s here to guide you every step of the way. If your house has suffered water damage, contact him to discover how significant the damage may be and how he can help you ultimately save money and heartache by selling your home outright.
