Water-damaged homes that are not properly repaired and restored pose significant health risks to their occupants. The health risks of untreated water damage in Queensland include respiratory conditions, allergic reactions to pollutants and physical injury in extreme cases. Below, we discuss these risks in detail and suggest ways in which they can be mitigated.
Mould Exposure and Respiratory Issues
Mould exposure from water damage in Queensland may provoke more severe asthma attacks in existing sufferers and lead to the development of this condition in previously healthy children. It may also provoke less serious allergic reactions in others. Exposure to high concentrations of mould spores can also affect our immune system, making us more vulnerable to infections and diseases. Of all the possible water damage health effects in Queensland homes that you may suffer, those caused by exposure to mould are probably the most serious.
In the days following a flood or serious plumbing emergency in the home, mould often begins to grow on damp surfaces. Carpeting, plasterboard and other highly absorbent materials are normally the first to show signs of new growth, with other surfaces quickly following suit. This mould growth, left unchecked, could quickly render your home uninhabitable.
Exposure to Pollutants and Irritants in Sediment
After localised flooding, another health risk faced by affected homeowners is that of exposure to pollutants and irritants in the sediment left behind after the flood waters have retreated. The respiratory issues from water damage and allergic reactions to mould discussed in the previous section may be more commonly encountered threats, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the health risks posed by heavy metals, aquatic biota and other allergens and pollutants in sediment.
Structural Hazards from Water Damage
Structural damage from untreated water leaks and unrestored flood water damage can hit your wallet hard, and your health even harder. You may have previously assumed that it was the obvious and immediate health risks of untreated water damage in Queensland that you needed to be most aware of, but this is not necessarily the case. Long-term structural damage may pose an even greater threat and therefore, must be taken seriously. In timber-framed houses, unchecked exposure to excess moisture can lead to rotting roof rafters and wall studs, among other structural issues.
At the least, any structural damage to your home will have a major impact on your finances: professional structural restoration after water damage in Queensland will almost certainly be required in such circumstances. If you’re unfortunate, it could have tragic consequences for your household too. There are no more serious health risks of untreated water damage in Queensland than those posed by a home with compromised structural integrity.
Protecting Your Queensland Home and Health
Avoiding unnecessary structural damage and preventing mould growth after water damage is as simple as enlisting the help of experienced professionals. For structural restoration and mould removal services in Queensland, contact Pircsa Pty Ltd. A timely intervention by our team could save your home and your health.
