Heavy rain and inefficient sewer systems make for a terrible combination. Floodwater can very easily destroy any property it enters, along with everything inside it. Even worse, prolonged contact with flood water can cause severe damage to a person’s health.
Read on for a comprehensive list of the dangers of floodwater:
Structural Damage
An obvious danger of any level of floodwater is structural damage. Even the smallest amount of moisture can seep across porous material, making it weak and prone to collapse.
This damage is not limited to wood structures, either. Even the thickest slab of concrete is vulnerable to damage due to standing water. Water can penetrate into the very small pockets of space and create an environment wherein mold and fungi can grow. If you’re repairing tiles and flooring after a flood, make sure that the concrete underneath is completely dry.
Electrical Damage
While structural damage is relatively easy to spot, other types of damage may not be immediately visible, making them more dangerous. If you enter your home after a flood and see that very little is compromised or out of place, that doesn’t mean it’s completely safe.
Exposed electrical wiring can be hidden behind appliances and other invisible corners in your home. If there is any stagnant water remaining, you should call in restoration specialists before going inside. Remember that there’s no coming back from stepping into a puddle of water with a live wire in it.
Open Wounds
Floodwater contains billions of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that cause very serious diseases if they enter your body. If you have any open wounds on your legs, don’t step or tread into floodwater. Even the slightest splash can lead to a severe infection.
Harmful Chemicals
Flood water is incredibly dangerous because you don’t know where it’s been, and you have no idea what can be in it. You don’t have to live next to a manufacturing plant or polluted river to be affected by harmful chemicals in floodwater.
Free-flowing flood water picks up many dangerous liquids and chemicals along the way. By the time it enters your home, it is potentially dirtier and more dangerous than the nearest sewer. It may contain many types of food waste, oil, gas, sewage, and a large number of other contaminants. If these combinations of substances enter your body in any way, you may suffer from many side effects. Remember to protect yourself as best you can with the right gear if you have to walk through floodwater.
Sharp Objects
Stagnant floodwater is as murky as it gets, so you need to be extremely careful when stepping through it. There may be broken glass, nails, and other sharp objects floating around in it. If one of these objects pierces your skin, you may be in for a very serious infection.
It’s best practice just to stay away from floodwater whenever possible. If you have to tread through it for any reason, wear thick-soled rubber boots and thick socks. These protective layers will keep your feet and legs safe.
Conclusion
A flood can cause a lot of damage beyond destroying the physical structure of homes and buildings. Wading into a flood is incredibly risky and can cause serious illnesses if you don’t protect yourself properly. Instead of stepping into the water yourself, you should call in cleanup and restoration professionals to make sure your home is safe before you go back in.
Restoration Masters is a fully licensed and insured company that employs certified, highly-trained water damage restoration specialists to help your household recover after a flood. If you need professional water damage repair services in Lancaster, CA, contact us today!
