Water Damage: Harbinger of Mold

Water damage can be devastating to your home, office, or place of business. Leaky pipes, holes in the roof, unsealed windows or doors can all allow water to come into a structure.

Most homes, and many office buildings, utilize drywall as the material for the walls and ceilings. This material is great, as long as it does not get wet. Drywall can absorb a small amount of water without too much difficulty, but it simply cannot tolerate larger amounts of water.

When water drips onto your drywall it can cause the material to swell. In some cases, this swelling will be dramatic and very noticeable. As it swells, it often pulls away from the nails and fasteners. And that can lead to the material collapsing or falling.

Water can also have another dangerous effect that is often not immediately noticeable. It can cause mold and mildew to grow, and this can cause health problems for some people, especially for those with certain allergies. Mold and mildew can work its way through paint and even through wallpaper. Generally, you first see small spots that can be either black or brownish. These spots, which are actually colonies of mold, mildew or fungi, will grow over time. As they grow, they can discharge spores into the air which can lead to breathing issues for some people as well as an unsightly appearance.

Repairing water damaged surfaces does not have to be expensive and it does not have to done haphazardly by non-professionals.

One thing to keep in mind with water damage is that it will not go away on its own. In fact, it will get worse over time once mold or mildew sets in. When you consider the risks that are associated with damaged materials, repairs are a small cost to pay for improvements in both appearance and health.