Water – it’s something essential for life, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a pain to deal with sometimes. No matter where we live in Australia, or the world for that matter, flash flooding is something that we have to worry about. While it may not be something constantly at the forefront of our minds, we should do our best to have a contingency plan at least.
Admittedly, this is easier said than done. Flooding is always a possibility, but how can we really prepare for a flash flood or something similar in nature? Today, that’s what we’d like to discuss, along with some options we have available when it comes to responding to these types of crises.
Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash
What is Water Damage?
Most of us can spot water damage when we see it. Rust on metal, spots of mildew or mold on wood or other organic materials. Yet, it can be hard to actually describe what the damage is and why we should prevent it outside of “musty smells” or “ugly appearances.”
Photo by Saikiran Kesari on Unsplash
On a basic level, we can define it as any damage caused by direct contact with water. Delving a bit deeper, though, if left untreated, it can lead to some serious issues for a property. For example, wooden structures can end up rotting. This can cause the foundation of a house or building to become unsteady if we aren’t careful.
Mildew and mold are another concern. At first glance, they may just seem inconvenient. Certainly, the musty smell isn’t pleasant at all. However, if we let these spores grow unchecked, it can cause health issues or worsen pre-existing conditions after long periods of exposure.
Causes of Water Damage
Next, let’s look at some of the things that can cause this damage in our homes. Perhaps the most obvious thing is a leaky pipe or clogged gutters that results in water dripping down or otherwise leaking indoors. With gutters, it tends to result in large patches of dampness in walls, floors, and ceilings.
Depending on the location of the pipe, that could turn out to be a smaller problem at least. Either way, though, it’s important to get those issues taken care of as soon as possible. That way, you’ll be able to prevent worse problems later down the line.
In other cases, we can blame natural disasters. Flooding comes to mind, and we’ve referenced it a few times already. Although local governments across Australia have warning systems to help if there is a risk of a flash flood, sometimes they are so sudden that even that won’t help.
When that happens, it can be an unmitigated disaster in many circumstances. Flooring is often hit worst in flooding situations. In fact, carpet flood damage is one of the most frustrating things to try to deal with in the aftermath. Think about the last time you stepped on wet carpet…that gushy, gross feeling isn’t pleasant in the slightest, and if most of the rooms in your home have carpeting…well, it can be a big issue.
Before we dive into how we can respond to water damage, there are a few other potential causes we’d like to mention. Malfunctioning washing machines are one since they can end up releasing a ton of water into the surrounding room. Even air conditioners can cause issues thanks to condensation buildup – we really do need to be vigilant.
Fixing Water Damage
At last, we can get to the good stuff! When it comes to fixing water damage, there are a few different approaches we can take. A lot of it will depend on the type of damage that’s happened – we probably won’t bring in carpet cleaners if we only have hardwood floors, for instance.
One of the first steps you’ll want to take is to assess how bad the situation is. When you call in a company to help with the cleanup process, they’ll ask you for details. Being able to accurately report what’s going on can be really helpful and speed things up down the line, since it will allow the contractors to get a better sense for what they’ll be dealing with.
That said, don’t stress too much if that seems out of reach for you. Even providing basic details like “my home flooded, and my carpets are a soggy mess” is plenty in many cases. The important thing is that you actually call to get some help.
Unfortunately, the problems caused by water damage often aren’t things that we can resolve on our own. Unless you’re an expert at pipe repairs or cleaning carpets after flooding, there’s a good chance that you’ll want to bring in some professional help. Try to find a contractor or company that offers the specific services that you’ll need.
In the heat of the moment, though, this is easier said than done. It’s part of why we recommend having some sort of gameplan on the backburner, just so if a crisis happens, we’re prepared. Something to think about, at least.
Interestingly enough, the type of help needed can depend on the type of water that ends up in your home. Floods in particular can manifest in a few different ways. Clean water is the least severe, but greywater and blackwater can both cause their own unique issues. Keeping all of this straight isn’t easy, so don’t worry if it’s hard to wrap your head around.
Here in Australia, we’ve got a ton of options available to us in term of contractors and professionals who can help repair water damage issues. Although it’s easy to panic in the aftermath of a flood or natural disaster, hopefully this helps ease at least some of the worries you might have.
Even the worst water damage can be fixed, or the piece that’s damaged can be replaced. We always have some options available, even if things seem a bit hopeless at first. Just remember to decide and stick to it if there is a flood!
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