The Importance Of Prompt Water Damage Restoration

Grand Island is no stranger to flooding. Major flooding in 2020 was proof of that. In fact, the area has been the scene of periodic major floods over the past century, highlighting the fact that this issue is likely not going away anytime soon. In fact, city officials have noted that needed changes to reduce the likelihood of flooding in residential subdivisions will take decades. 

We often think about water damage to our homes and businesses through the lens of flooding. That is certainly a major cause; however, water damage is much more common than that encountered in a flood as there are many things that can cause these issues. 

Industry statistics show that an average of 14,000 people a day experience a water emergency. In fact, 37% of homeowners will experience water damage during their lifetime. 

Factors That Contribute To Water Damage On Grand Island

We’ve already mentioned that flooding is a source of water damage. It is a particularly problematic issue in the Grand Island area for a couple of reasons. First, we live in a very flat place where natural drainage doesn’t have many options. Additionally, many of our area’s subdivisions were built with very little drainage from the 1970s until around 2010.  Water damage from flooding tends to cost tens of thousands of dollars to restore. 

Another common source of water damage is from above. Your roof is an important, intricate system that protects you from water. However, as roofs age, water can begin to seep through. This is one reason why it is important to have roofs periodically checked for damage. 

Water damage can also come from within through the form of plumbing leaks, overflowing toilets, and failed appliances. This isn’t surprising when you think about it. Most water heaters fail before they are 12 years old and even a relatively small leak in a pipe can cause a lot of water to leak over the course of a day. 

Spotting The Signs Of Water Damage

We’ve talked about the signs of water damage in prior blogs. It can be difficult to know if you have water damage in many cases. While flooding is evident, plumbing issues often go hidden behind walls or beneath floors. Even a roof leak can take a long time to reveal itself. 

When these leaks occur behind the scenes without your knowledge, they often allow damage to spread, increasing the cost of water damage restoration. Thus, it is important to look for signs of water damage including the following:

• A musty odor
• Unusually high water bills
• An inexplicable coldness in the air
• Unexpected health problems, particularly respiratory
• Cracking walls or bubbling paint
• Visible wet spots
• Swollen drywall

Why Prompt Water Damage Restoration Is Important

When you experience water damage or notice signs of potential damage, responding promptly is incredibly important. There are a number of reasons for this. Let’s discuss the most important reasons why you don’t want to wait to contact your Grand Island water damage restoration specialist. 

Cost

Perhaps the most notable benefit to promptly addressing water damage is the one that you will feel in your bank account. Water damage restoration can be expensive, but this cost greatly increases the longer that the problem goes unresolved. 

Water incursions allowed to go about uncontrolled will continue to spread the damage. This can increase the likelihood that you need services such as mold remediation or the possibility of damage spreading to areas like the electricity or the foundation which will greatly increase costs. Furthermore, waiting to address the problem may cause your insurance to limit what damage it covers.

Health

Another major consideration when thinking about the importance of timely water restoration is your health. Water leaks can lead to the development of mold in as little as 24 to 48 hours. As you likely know, exposure to mold can cause severe health issues. 

Exposure to mold often begins with symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, and coughing. However, many people develop severe reactions including breathing issues, constant headaches, increased fatigue, and even allergic reactions. 

Property Damage

Of course, another big impact of allowing water damage restoration to wait for lies in the increased damage to your property. Allowing water damage to sit can cause structural problems to your home or business over time. 

What could be a smaller fix initially may grow to need entire walls or flooring to be removed and replaced. It is important to realize that we often do not see the extent of water damage until we look behind surfaces. 

What Do I Do If I Suspect Water Damage?

If you encounter water damage or sign of a potential problem, it is essential to contact a trusted professional immediately. Yellow Van is a leading provider of water damage restoration in the Grand Island area including Kearney, Hastings, and other neighboring towns. We will happily investigate the issue and work with you to make any needed restoration as seamless of a process as possible.