Minimizing The Health Risks of Water Damage

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If you have experienced flooding in your property then you may already know that aside from the physical water damage, you will also need to pay heed to the potential health risks that it brings with it. There are a number of ways that you can minimize not only the extent of the damage, but also the hazard to your health.

When flooding is brought about by natural causes such as heavy rain or an overflowing river, then there will be a very high likelihood that the flood water is contaminated from mixing with water from sewage and drainage systems. This type of water is known as 'grey' water and is rife with bacteria and micro-organisms. That means it is very important to ensure that all harmful bacteria is killed and that the area is treated to ensure that the germs do not spread following the flood. Stagnant water it is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and will also attract insects like fleas and ticks all of which can spread disease, so it is essential that the problem is handled appropriately.

If the flooding is down to burst pipes or water supply problems, then it is not to say that contamination won't occur. In my experience, it is always best to assume that the flood water is contaminated which is why I would never attempt to clean up flooding on my own. I always call in a professional who is equipped to deal with the potential problems.

Some precautions you can take are to not drink anything other than bottled water until local authorities give the all clear and to ensure your water supply has been decontaminated. Never underestimate the health risks that come hand in hand with flooding.

Related articles

• The Hidden Danger Of Water Damage
• What Is Water Damage?
• Dealing With Sewage Safely
• How to Prepare Your Home Against Flooding
• The True Cost Of Fire or Smoke Damage

Let's Talk About Mold

Mold is found everywhere, indoors and outdoors, but is normally found indoors at levels that do not affect most healthy individuals. Mold is usually found where humidity and moisture levels are high, such as basements, kitchens and bathrooms. Mold can develop when the combination of the right temperature, mold spores, moisture and a food source are present. Mold was able to grow because it has a moisture source.

Mold is constructed from mold material surrounding temporary part material which defines the mold cavity. Mold is naturally occurring and can develop on virtually any material if the conditions which foster mold development are present. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth. Mold can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours in conditions of elevated temperature and relative humidity. Mold spores are in the air at all times but are dormant unless activated by elevated temperature and humidity.

Mold spores are constantly moving through the air - both indoor and outdoor. Mold spores are very tiny and lightweight, and this allows them to travel through the air. Mold is a common problem in many homes, and even conscientious homeowners can sometimes run into a mold problem. Mold has certainly made its way into people's homes as well as the headlines recently. Mold is extremely common in homes and buildings and will grow anywhere there is moisture.

Mold will not grow if moisture is absent. Mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. Mold is caused when microscopic, airborne spores land on moist surfaces and spread rapidly. Mold is an infestation caused on surfaces exposed to water.

Mold is almost everywhere, but it is not health to live where mold is growing. Mold can damage your home, possessions and health. Mold can be especially serious, since it can cause structural damage to your home, as well as health problems. Mold is dangerous and it can cause many health problems than carbon monoxide, termites, radon or asbestos. Mold may not cause health effects, or it may lead to symptoms in people who are sensitive to molds.

Mold can have harmful effects on human health. Mold may be present in a building and result in health effects without being visible. Mold is being dubbed “the new asbestos” in the building industry. Mold is the second leading cause of outdoor airborne allergies, with pollen being the first. Mold that grew in conjunction with moisture damage was the leading cause of occupational rhinitis.

Mold can also cause structural damage to your home by weakening the wood frame. Mold can grow on wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation.

Lead Poisoning : The Risks

Childhood lead poisoning is by far the most avoidable environmental ailment in youngsters, but somewhere around One million young children continue to have raised bloodstream lead amounts. Lead poisoning can result in learning disabilities, behavior issues, convulsions and loss of life, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is particularly detrimental to fetuses and small children.

Most youngsters are in contact with hazardous amounts of lead if they are living in properties constructed prior to 1978 - the year during which lead based paints were banned as a result of medical problems. Federal and state governing bodies are supporting programs to scale back and eliminate the issue. To give an example, a recent $2.9 million federal government grant will soon allow the city of Indianapolis to maintain lead assessments for the local children, provide lead dust sets for many households and assist development of about 400 lead free real estate units as part of a Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration program.

The program's goal is to eliminate lead in 389 area homes, 115 of which must be rental properties. Households will be selected based on income level, risk of contamination and whether small kids or expectant mothers are on the property.

Even if your area is not currently in receipt of such grants, if you are concerned about the possibility of lead paint in your property, then you will be able to call in professional lead paint removal experts to evaluate, and if required remove lead paint from, your property.

Mold And Your Health

Molds are generally known to trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems in individuals with weak immune systems such as children, the elderly and the ailing. There are several household molds that take place after a while The most shocking thing is that they cannot only be found in the dirty places, they hover around the clear houses as well. There is reason behind everything and household mold have a reason as well. The most common sources are, hidden wall leaks, undiscovered roof leak, water intrusion of any kind, like pipe leak, uncurbed humidity etc.

To deal with this problem, a complete assessment of the house has to take place by someone qualified in mold remediation. The air and the surfaces have to be checked so that the extent of the problem can be determined. To do this, you need technicians that are certified to the Institute of Investigation, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) so you can be sure that they know exactly what they are doing. The problem is severe and it should be immediately taken care of. One can only imagine the hazardous problems these molds can produce. The first symptom of having household mold is having musty doors.

The symptoms that the human beings would get is having dry cough, burning eyes and skin rashes. If you already have them, you cannot waste anymore time but call the specialized team. You must also find the source of the problem and make sure that the right repairs are done to ensure you do not experience the same problems again.

People cannot overlook those molds because they cause more harm than people are aware of. They secretly do their job in silence and no one really knows it until they are faced with the ultimate problem. Those molds grow so fast but remain unchecked for a long time, no one pays much heed to them until they are so severe that the house owners need medical attention.

The team is specialized so they know just what to do. In the final analysis, to eliminate the problem completely is our main goal. To do this we use infra red inspection technology. This is used to inspect the walls inside to determine whether water leakage has been dealt with completely. It also helps establish whether the molds have been removed completely. It is important to use a professional for any mold remediation works.

Dealing With Sewage Clean Up At Home

Sometimes there are certain disasters in the home we can take care of ourselves, little things like a blown fuse, a leaky tap and so on. However, there are other issues which cannot be taken care of because of our health. For example, mold and sewage related incidents should never be handled on your own, because they can have a detrimental effect on your health and well being.

So let's talk a little bit more about sewage clean up. I know, I know, it's not the nicest subject in the world! However, it's the one I had to deal with this past week. My good lady wife and I had been out and about all day caught up with work and errands. We stopped off for an early dinner before heading home, but on opening the front door we were greeted by a stench the likes of which we had never smelled before – nor do I ever wish to smell again! Our septic tank had gotten backed up causing an overflow sewage. Both the main bathroom, our en-suite and the downstairs toilet were a mess! I know enough about bacteria to know that a) I was not touching this with a barge pole and b) it had to be dealt with now!

We scooted on over to the neighbors and used their phone to call in some emergency sewage removal experts who reached us in around one hour and took care of everything quickly. Amazingly, we only had to replace the flooring in the downstairs toilet which had taken the worst hit, and a few towels etc. But because we worked fast the damage was minimal.

What really struck me though was my father's reaction when we called to see if we could stop the night with him. He asked my why I hadn't just rolled up my sleeves, pulled on some waders and cleaned the mess myself. He honestly believed that it was just a case of us young folks being too darn lazy! He was appalled when I explained all of the reasons why that was NOT a great plan!

Untreated sewage has so much more than just a bad smell. It is full of micro-organisms, bacteria and parasites which can cause a laundry list of illnesses if ingested or are able to enter the blood stream view broken skin. Sewage is classed as a bio-hazard and should be treated much the same as you might treat toxic waste! I'm betting that you'd never try to clear up a toxic spill from factory right? So why would you try to clean up sewage? It can cause a multitude of stomach illnesses, skin infections and respiratory disease. That's not something you want to mess with.