Flood-Related Hazards That Cause Property Damage & Health Risks

Rising sea levels and severe weather conditions increase the chances of homeowners experiencing flood damage in Tampa, FL. Of course, that doesn’t take into account all the flooding that occurs as a result of broken pipes, clogged drains, and other major culprits.

Flooding can be catastrophic to both the structure of your home and your physical health. The damage can be insurmountable and will often lead to even more damage if not repaired and restored in a timely fashion by a professional and quality restoration company in Tampa.

That’s why homeowners and business owners need to stay prepared for these events. The more prepared you are, the better chance you’ll have of minimizing the damage left behind. After all, no one wants to see their home or business ruined — we want to see it thrive and prosper.

To ensure Tampa property owners understand the true magnitude of a flood, let’s go over some of the most dangerous flood-related hazards that cause property damage or health risks:

Top 5 List of Flood-related hazards that cause property damage & health risks

1. Water Damage

Flooding happens when water overflows an area that should be dry, so it’s no wonder that water damage is generally the biggest threat to your property. Depending on how much water floods your property, it can ruin the flooring, walls, and any personal belongings that cross its path.

In order to minimize the amount of property damage, you’ll need to extract and remove the water as soon as possible. You’ll also want to find the source of the flooding so you can stop incoming water from flooding the home. Like any property damage, time is of the essence.

2. Mold Growth & Spread

Mold is everywhere and while there’s no way to avoid it, it generally doesn’t pose a risk to your property or your health. Of course, that all changes when mold levels grow and spread out of control. This usually happens when water damage isn’t repaired or restored in a timely fashion.

Mold needs four things to grow — a temperature between 77°F and 86°F, oxygen, an organic food source, and water (moisture). When water damage isn’t repaired, it becomes a feeding ground for mold. This not only ruins the structure of your home, but also puts your health at risk.

3. Debris & Rodents

Perhaps one of the least thought about hazards that come with flood damage is the amount of debris and rodents that travel with the water. Especially when the flooding comes from outside, there’s no telling what kind of debris or rodents are traveling and hiding under the water.

That’s why it’s always best to be cautious when walking through a flooded home. You could potentially step on broken glass, tree branches, snakes, and even alligators in some more extreme cases. You should always be careful where you step before inspecting the damage.

4. Electrical Currents & Fires

Your home and business rely on power and electricity to run properly. Unfortunately, water and electricity don’t mix very well and can cause a great deal of damage when not restored by a professional. Depending on what the flood makes contact with, it could cause a fire to break out.

The last thing you want to experience during a flood is a fire. It not only creates more property damage, but the flooding makes it more frustrating to put out. You should also be aware of the potential for electrocution and electrical hazards when walking or standing in flooded water.

5. Water Contamination

In addition to not knowing what type of rodents or debris is found in the flooded water, you also have to be wary of how contaminated the water is. Greywater and blackwater are much more dangerous to your home’s structure and health during flood damage cleanup in Tampa.

Before re-entering your home or business after a flood, you should make sure you understand how contaminated the water is and how safe it is to clean up. You should also wear protective clothing when walking through the home or business to avoid coming in contact with the water.


Contact DriRite for Immediate Assistance

A flood can be devastating to any home or business, no matter how severe the damage is. It not only damages the structure of your property and your personal belongings inside the property, but it puts your health at great risk. That’s why you need a quality team of restoration experts.

If you’re ready to begin the restoration process, contact DriRite today for immediate assistance. We offer the best flood damage repair in Tampa by using the most advanced equipment and operating at the highest standards possible. We can’t wait to help you through the recovery process!

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