Understanding What Happens to Building Materials When They Get Wet

3/16/2018 (Permalink)

Home suffering from Water Loss

Water damage from any type of water deluge can be devastating to a home’s structure and not just to the contents within it. From swelling wood to supply line damage, the damage that an influx of water has the potential to cause can be costly and extensive. If you want to know what to expect from a burst pipe, flood or any other type of water issue, keep reading. Some common issues that stem result from sitting water include:

• Weak drywall
• Swollen wood
• Ineffective insulation
• Bad electrical
• Contaminated furniture and flooring

Common Structural Issues From Water Damage

Though a burst pipe is unlikely to cause the foundational damage a flood can cause, it can still wreak havoc on your home. If your home has been subject to several water deluges in the past, you may notice a few subtle signs.

For one, your drywall may become weak and begin to crumble, get soft or grow mold. If this happens, your drywall needs to be replaced and the structure of your home dried out, otherwise the swelling wood will continue to swell and cause additional damage. If your walls are plaster, you may be able to get away with simply drying the material.

Another sign you may notice is that your home doesn’t retain heat or cool air as well as it once did. Water damaged insulation is no longer effective and should be replaced when the drywall is replaced.

Depending on how extensive the damage was, you may notice that some outlets or switches don’t work as well. If there are electrical lines behind the damaged areas of drywall, the water surge may be the cause.

Finally, you may notice that your furniture and flooring take on a musty, moldy smell. If this happens, chances are because your furniture and carpet are contaminated, in which case, you would be better off replacing those items.

From swelling wood to bad electrical, a burst pipe can wreak havoc. If you’ve recently experienced a water surge, contact your St. Charles, IL, water restoration team for immediate and effective water pipe repair and restoration efforts.

Visit us at http://www.SERVPROstcharlesgenevabatavia.com for more information.