Many of us have heard the saying, “time is money.” Well, when it comes to water damage cleanup in Naperville, that saying could not be more true. Unfortunately water damage only compounds over time, meaning the longer the damage is present, the more damage there will be. The more damage your home sustains from water, the more expensive water damage cleanup and restoration will be. It really does come down to timing to ensure the best results for your home, and your wallet.
In as little as 24 hours after water damage, mold can begin growing. In order to grow, mold needs a food source, moisture, and, you guessed, it, time. Porous materials like wood, drywall, and even dust are all great sources of food for mold. When water damage occurs in our homes, all of these potential sources become wet from the moisture present. Since the food source and moisture cannot be avoided once water damage has occurred, the one thing you can remove from the mold growth equation is time. This is why timing is so critical in water damage cleanup. With prompt action following water damage, the growth of dangerous molds is significantly decreased.
Mold growth found in homes can be very dangerous to your health. Mold reproduces and grows through spores. If mold spores are ingested or inhaled, they can lead to a plethora of respiratory symptoms including: coughing, sneezing, headaches, rashes, irritation to the eyes, irritation to the nose and throat, and fatigue, just to name a few. Since mold spores travel through the air, they can affect the air quality throughout the entire home, not just in the area that sustained water damage. When mold has been present for extended amounts of time, it can pose even more serious health threats such as allergic reactions, shortness of breath, and sinus infections. Because mold can damage our health, the best way to prevent mold growth is to begin the cleanup process as quickly as possible following any type of water damage.
Besides mold growth, lingering water damage will also lead to increased damage of the items that are wet. Floors, walls, sheetrock, and insulation are all made up of porous materials – meaning these materials will absorb water. This build up of moisture can cause swelling, deterioration, and break down; all leading to loss of integrity of the structural components of your home. Items like furniture, carpets, and bedding will deteriorate more quickly the longer they are exposed to water. Your water damage problems will most likely compound, and repair expenses will increase exponentially by failing to act quickly when water damage affects your home.
At GCPRO, we know how much damage water causes in just a short amount and that is why we offer 24/7 emergency services so you can call us at any time to come clean up your water damage. Our water damage cleanup team is experienced in handling all sizes and types of water damage, whether from burst pipes, roof leaks, ice dams, malfunctioning appliances, flooding, and even sewage backups. Regardless of the source, don’t waste any time and call GCPRO when you need water damage cleanup.