External flooding is an ever-present danger for millions of homes in the United States. According to ABC News, flooding could affect 14.6 million U.S. homes. Those homes and all others also are prone to internal flooding that a burst water pipe, a defective water heater, or maybe a drainage backup might cause. Whether the water source is internal or external, here are some issues that could arise if you don’t hire a water removal service after a flood.

Onset of Mold and Mildew

If you don’t act quickly to remove water from your home, that water will penetrate areas where it will cause mold and mildew to grow. Dark areas inside the walls and in basements are especially prone to water damage and the onset of mold and mildew. Mold and mildew might even form inside the ventilation system and cause respiratory problems for anyone inside your home. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional water removal service to prevent this issue from escalating.

Damage to Your Home’s Structure

The longer that water can saturate your flooring, walls, and other structural elements inside your home, the more damage it can do. Wood could swell and start to rot due to the excess moisture. Drywall could deteriorate and fall apart. Water stains could form on wood, walls, and flooring. Your floor coverings also could become useless if you don’t have a water removal service to take care of the problem right away.

Furnishings Could Become Useless

Any furnishings that stay even partly immersed in water for an extended period could be rendered useless by the floodwater. Furniture, wall coverings, and other items can deteriorate quickly and become impossible to use due to extreme moisture.

Home Insurer Might Deny Related Claims

You might want to file an insurance claim for flood damage to your home. The sooner you initiate water mitigation and removal, the more likely your insurance claim will be accepted and paid up to policy limits. Any delays in hiring a water removal service might indicate negligence on your part. If the insurer says you waited too long to take care of the problem, your claims might be denied.

A severe weather disaster doesn’t have to leave your home in a state of complete disrepair. Please call ServiceMaster to learn more about our water removal service and how we can get your home back together.