Healthy Basement Systems

Precipitation comes in different forms, but one way or another; it comes at our homes all throughout the year. Even in the winter; the snow, sleet, and melting ice can all cause some basement and foundation problems. If these are avoided, then what could have been a well-handled situation might develop into a serious time quencher and pocket splitter.

How much water damage actually warrants the need for professional restoration? Must you wait until your home is demolished before asking for help? Here are the answers to these questions and more.

Is My Home Really Water Damaged?

Maybe just a little bit of water isn't exactly going to ruin your home, but you've certainly heard or witnessed the wall cracks, the gaping ceilings with water stains, the puddles on the basement floor, and the strange smells.

When water enters your home, where it shouldn't, it becomes a virus of sorts. In the same way that our bodies are wired to react and remove any "foreign" contaminants or even a new piercing; we should take the same defense when water enters into our homes. We should try to remove it before it makes us sick and causes other problems.

So, what's the answer? If there's water where it shouldn't be, then your home has been damaged and will only get worse if no action is taken.

How Do You Respond to Unwanted Water?

Immediately clean up the mess. Don't just let the water evaporate. Water evaporated is still precipitation in the atmosphere and creates humidity and some other rather serious issues-- we'll talk about that next.

Once the water is removed, dry off any damaged items and try to figure out where the water actually came from and if it can be fixed without the help of an expert.

Make sure you clean up the mess and try to dry out the furniture or carpeting. Especially if the water came from the outside; water from outside is not clean and will definitely be carrying bacteria. So, drying isn't all that has to happen, but disinfecting and cleaning. Then it's off to prevention!

What's the Worst that Could Happen?

When a water problem is ignored it can develop into becoming a serious mold problem, which then spawns into additional issues. Mold only needs a few things to survive: moisture, organic material to feed upon and a comfortable temperature. Even if you wipe up the water, if the source of the problem is still present then the mold will grow.

Sometimes mold grows in places we can't even see. For example, some homeowners have cut out a small square in their wall to reveal the back of the panel completely immersed in mold.

Usually there are some signs of mold, most noticeably-- the stinky, musty smell! That means there's mold!

Mold can cause some pretty serious allergy symptoms and can ruin plenty of household items, as it feeds on anything like wood, carpet, paint, and the like.

Of course, water damage left untouched can also lead to structural damage. Boards can rot and the stability of a foundation can begin to cripple. No one wants that to happen, especially when an expert can stop the water in its tracks and prevent future problems. See the water, trap it, call an expert, and regain your peace of mind.

Contact Bill Simone's Healthy Basement Systems today and speak to an expert in water damage restoration in Long Island. They'll identify the problem, restore your home, and help to keep your home safe and dry.