Why Is Secondary Damage So Serious for Your Home?

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage to your home doesn’t stop at the water line. The humidity in an enclosed area will skyrocket in a flood, thanks in part to the moisture-wicking action of porous materials. This secondary damage may be light, but it can be very serious, even threatening the structure of your home. Homeowners in Bal Harbour, FL, should be aware of this if they have any flooding or a burst pipe.

What Is Secondary Damage? 

The standard definition of secondary water damage is damage to absorbent materials caused by prolonged indirect exposure to high humidity, but not to direct contact with water. This sort of damage includes

• Buckling and warping wood
  
• Soaked drywall
  
• Peeling paint and wallpaper
  
• Stains, black mold and bad odors
  
• Ruined carpets
  
  

Damage can also occur to personal items such as photographs, paperwork, electronics, and books. Humidity should be kept between 40 – 50% in most cases for an ideal balance, although special cases, such as dehumidifying a library or running a vaporizer for someone who is ill, may alter that.

What Should You Do About It? 

Minor flooding on non-porous materials that doesn’t go up to the outlets may not require professional help. For instance, flooding in a concrete basement with cinder block walls can be pumped out by you, as long as it’s done quickly. Quickly is the key word here – every hour the elevated humidity has to act is working against you. Once the wood starts rotting, it’s going to attract wood-boring insects.
If the damage has been significant or is in any way structural, you’ll need a professional restoration company experienced with water damage repair to bring in custom air movers that can quickly suck the humidity out of a given area. Once things are dry, a full inspection will help reveal any areas of concern.
If you’ve experienced a water intrusion in Bal Harbour, FL, a speedy response will save you considerable aggravation and potentially many thousands of dollars. SERVPRO is Faster to any size disaster, and they have the specialized equipment to get the moisture out and determine how extensive the damage is.