Dealing with Water Damage: The Hidden Dangers and Solutions in Ocala, FL

Water damage is one of the most costly losses a home can experience. Even the smallest leaks can lead to thousands of dollars in damage, especially if they go unnoticed. 

Unfortunately, it’s all too common for homeowners to miss the signs of water damage, and they end up facing more problems down the road. These problems are often referred to as secondary damage because they only occur after a water intrusion event. If you're in Ocala, FL and need professional assistance, don't hesitate to reach out for mold mitigation Ocala, FL services to address potential mold issues associated with water damage.

Secondary water damage can create a whole different category of things for homeowners to worry about. Two of the biggest problems are rot and mold growth. 

Both of these can be incredibly dangerous, but it’s especially important that homeowners hire a professional to help with a mold mitigation. Ocala, FL residents don’t have to look far for experienced contractors. Florida Fire & Flood has completed several successful water damage restorations and mold mitigations.

Causes of Hidden Water Damage

Secondary water damage can occur in as little as 24 hours, so it’s important that homeowners act quickly at the first sign of a leak or flood. The signs may not be obvious, however, if the water damage occurs in walls, ceilings, or flooring. Instead, it could take homeowners days, weeks, or even months to realize their home has suffered from hidden water damage.

While hidden water intrusions may seem like a rare occurrence, they are actually quite common. This is because there are several things that can cause small, unnoticeable leaks. The following are just a few examples:

• Damaged Roofs
• Corroded Plumbing
• High Water Pressure
• Leaking Air Conditioner Units
• Tree Root Damage to Plumbing System
• Leaking Sinks
• Faulty Appliances

Risks of Hidden Water Damage

As mentioned, hidden water damage can quickly turn into secondary problems like rot and mold. When rot occurs, it can leave the structure of the home more vulnerable. Not only can it weaken ceilings and cause them to collapse, but it can also weaken the subfloor and walls, which can make areas of the house unstable. 

In addition, homes with hidden water damage are at risk for mold growth. In mild cases, the mold problem may be cosmetic. However, many mold types can lead to mold health issues as well. Some are more likely to cause mild allergy symptoms while others are more toxic and can be incredibly harmful. People with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable to illness caused by exposure to mold.

Steps to Handle Hidden Water Damage Restoration & Mold Mitigation

In order to prevent any of those problems, homeowners need to contact a company to help with water damage restoration and mold mitigation. Ocala, FL homeowners can expect that process to include the following steps:

• Inspection
• Drying
• Mold Mitigation
• Demolition
• Reconstruction

Inspection and Assessment

Contractors start the process by walking through the property and assessing the water damage. Their moisture meters allow them to detect hidden water damage in a variety of materials. They also take this time to check for mold growth. 

Drying

Next, the professionals start drying the affected area right away. They can use a combination of air movers and dehumidifiers to extract excess moisture from the air as well as some building materials. This process can take hours, days, or weeks, depending on the extent of water damage. 

Mold Mitigation

If mold is spotted during the process, the mold mitigation contractors will remove it from the house. They will also use sanitizing solutions and clean the area to keep it from coming back. HEPA vacuums can also help to prevent the spread of mold growth while they are removing the damaged materials. Most importantly, the technicians address the cause of the water intrusion to make sure it doesn’t happen again. 

Demolition

Some building materials may be too saturated to dry, or they may already have started to rot. In these cases, the contractors will also remove the damaged materials. These typically include flooring, drywall, insulation, and wood trim. The amount of demolition work will largely depend on how severe the water damage was.

Reconstruction

Since the best restoration companies are also licensed contractors, they can build the house back to its pre-loss condition. They are able to build new walls, install new floors, and replace other fixtures. In some cases, they can even complete upgrades at the homeowner’s request.