Water damage is a devastating experience that can leave your property in shambles. But the damage is not just physical, as water accidents can leave a lasting impression on your health.
Therefore, to keep yourself and your family safe from these issues, you need to know about them first. So, here, our experts have listed the six most common water damage health risks to help you take quick action and protect your loved ones.
Common Health Risks of Water Damage
1. Mold Allergies
Mold growth is one of the most harmful consequences of water damage. While it’s best to prevent mold growth, the moisture in your home after damage provides an ideal condition for mold spores to grow.
These spores can quickly spread into the air just 24 hours after water damage and lower the indoor air quality of your place. Prolonged exposure to this contaminated air causes issues like nausea, fatigue, and severe allergic reactions. If not addressed quickly, mold exposure can even lead to hospitalization.
2. Respiratory issues
The contaminated air quality due to water damage can lead to severe breathing issues like asthma, nasal congestion, and even lung irritation. Furthermore, it can exacerbate the allergies of those who are sensitive to allergens.
So, if your house suffers water damage, it’s best to relocate the vulnerable family members temporarily until your property is restored.
3. Skin and Eye Irritation
If the water damage is due to rain, appliance malfunction, or sewage backflow, the water may contain harmful chemicals, toxins, and bacteria. Coming into contact with this polluted water can be dangerous. It can lead to irritation in the eye and skin, rashes, and redness all over your body.
4. Gastro-Intestinal Problems
Water damage can also pollute the source of your drinking water. If you drink this contaminated water, it can put your health at a serious risk by causing severe gastrointestinal issues.
The bacteria and viruses present in the water can cause diseases like jaundice, dysentery, diarrhea, and vomiting. It can also affect your kidneys and intestine, causing long-term health issues.
5. Long-Term Issues
Not all the health effects of water damage are seen immediately. Some take years to manifest and slowly affect your body from the inside. The main cause of this is the prolonged exposure to mold spores.
A prime example of this is the infamous “Katrina Cough,” a widespread illness in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. It was a result of high levels of mold spores in the air after flooding.
6. Accidents
An often overlooked water damage health risk is structural damage to your property, which results in accidents and injuries due to falling debris. Moreover, there is a high risk of electrocution if you haven’t shut down the power properly.
Summing Up
After water damage, you have to face many issues that affect your health. These issues can be a result of mold growth or excess moisture. If you don’t take quick action, it can cause allergies, skin and eye irritation, diseases, respiratory issues, and allergies.
