Is Mold from Water Damage Dangerous? 7 Water Leak Health Problems
Water leaks may be a quiet threat to your home, and they’re also far from harmless to health.
Left unchecked, water leaks can weaken your home’s structure and foundation. In addition, they can create or exasperate health concerns. Water leaks can spur mold growth, increase bacterial contamination of surfaces and create poor air quality, to name a few.
Here are eight water leak health problems to watch out for.
1. Mold Growth
Mold in your home tends to flourish in damp and humid conditions, making basements or attics an ideal breeding ground for these microorganisms. Also, mold can grow inside walls where water from a leaky pipe or roof has gone undetected for an extended period.
Mold is a type of fungus that grows in various colors, including black. While the term "black mold" often causes concern due to its potential health risks, it's essential to understand that not all molds with a black appearance are the infamous black mold. It’s important to know the difference. One key difference is that regular mold has a drier texture than slimy black mold. Additionally, regular mold is far more common in damp areas, whereas black mold often is found in water-damaged areas where moisture has been a problem for some time.
Mold can also produce spores that float in the air. Exposure to mold spores can lead to various health issues, including respiratory problems, skin irritation, fatigue and headaches.
Steps to prevent mold growth include immediately cleaning up and drying out areas where a leak or spill occurred. Do not let water accumulate or stand. And use dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air whenever possible. Some mold remediation techniques, depending on severity, may involve hiring a professional mold removal service.
2. Bacterial Contamination
Mold isn’t the only concern when water damage occurs; there’s also a potential for harmful bacteria to enter the home… sometimes without warning.
Black water damage is the most contaminated — and hazardous. It can contain toxic substances such as human waste and viruses. It typically comes from sewer backups, flooding from rivers and streams, or nearby stagnant or standing water.
Steps to prevent bacterial infection stemming from damage include using disinfectants in the clean-up process, hiring professional water damage restoration services and ensuring proper sewage system maintenance.
In short, can mold and bacteria from water damage make you sick? The answer is… YES.
3. Allergic Reactions
Respiratory symptoms:
Eye symptoms:
Skin symptoms:
Other symptoms:
4. Respiratory Issues
According to the National Institutes of Health, inhaling mold spores can cause coughing, sneezing and respiratory difficulties.
Sustained exposure to mold and bacterial organisms also may result in chronic health problems, such as asthma and other respiratory ailments, like bronchitis. If these conditions are chronic, the symptoms could dramatically worsen.
Preventive measures and prompt action are key to mitigating the health and safety risks associated with water damage. Regular inspection of plumbing systems, timely repairs of leaks and proper maintenance of appliances can help prevent water damage incidents.
5. Indoor Air Quality
Even if a person isn’t sensitive or allergic to mold or bacteria, water damage resulting in humid conditions can become an issue.
The quality of indoor air becomes compromised when humidity levels rise above 50%, making your home a potential breeding ground for dust mites and other allergens.
To enhance air quality, use air purifiers, proper ventilation, dehumidifiers and promptly address the source of water damage.
6. Slips and Falls
In addition to respiratory concerns, water leaks and water damage can result in slippery surfaces or unstable or weak structures.
Wet surfaces provide little traction, creating dangerous and slippery conditions that could cause you to fall.
Immediately cleaning up water spills and repairing structural damage are vital in preventing falls.
7. Anxiety and Stress
In addition to all the physical health risks, water damage can have a devastating emotional toll, compromising the comfort and security of your family and all the memories shared in your home. After all, you can’t replace a wedding dress that gets ruined in a flooded basement, restore old family photos that have been exposed to moisture, or replicate those precious masterpieces your children made when they were little.
Dealing with water damage can heighten stress… especially if you are displaced to a hotel or another family member’s house while professionals restore water damaged areas. For many, displacement causes inconvenience and disruption when it comes to family routines or commutes to work.
If you or your family are experiencing anxiety or high levels of stress, seek support from professionals (counselors, therapists) and take proactive steps to manage water damage effectively.
Combat These Ill Effects
Can you get sick from water damage? Yes. Can it cause additional stress and worry? Yes. That’s why it’s vital to have a water leak monitoring plan.
It’s also important to invest in smart technology like the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff. This smart tool allows you to discover small leaks, such as one drop per minute, which can help alert you to potentially larger leaks before they start.
Protecting your home from water damage and the potential health concerns a water leak can cause requires vigilance. Regular checks and maintenance are essential to catching issues early and preventing them. By staying attentive to potential hot spots and addressing any signs of water damage promptly, you can safeguard your home’s structural integrity and ensure a healthy living environment.