If you haven’t experienced water damage, you’re likely unaware of the huge costs that can result if it goes unmitigated. The best way to prepare is by familiarizing yourself with the factors involved.
Even if you aren’t currently dealing with water damage, understanding common misconceptions can help you stay ahead of the curve and provide ample protection for your customers, employees, and property.
Here are a few of the most common misconceptions concerning water damage.
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1. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Water damage isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, it can happen without you even knowing it. Unfortunately, in these scenarios, the water often has enough time to cause extensive damage, necessitating greater cleanup costs.
However, if you know what to look for, you can catch a water leak earlier and fix the problem before it causes undue damage. Telltale signs of hidden water damage include:
- High water bills with no change to water usage
- Warped floors
- Cracked floors
- Warped ceilings
- Musty smells
- Mold and mildew in the floor, ceiling, or walls
If you notice any of the above signs, contact a commercial cleaning service as soon as possible. They’ll be able to help you identify the source and provide safe and responsible cleanup.
2. Small Isn’t Serious
Some people think small leaks aren’t serious and put off looking into them. In reality, the longer you wait to fix a leak, even a small one, the more extensive the damage will be.
Remember, water creates moisture, which in turn creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew. Both substances can be harmful to the respiratory health of the people in your building.
Water leakage that goes untreated for too long can also damage furniture, belongings, and even crucial structures, such as floors and support beams.
3. Water Damage Isn’t Likely
Just because you haven’t experienced water damage yourself doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you. Nearly half of all homeowners experience some form of water damage in their lives. In fact, experts rank the statistical chance of experiencing water damage higher than that of theft or fire. Generally speaking, the bigger your building is, the more you have to worry about water damage. That’s because larger spaces have more piping, which increases the chances that something could go wrong.
Fortunately, preparation is half the battle. By reading this, you’re already more likely to take meaningful steps toward prevention.
4. You’ve Experienced It Once, So It Won’t Happen Again
Many people make the mistake of thinking they’re in the clear after dealing with a single leak. Unfortunately, one leak often means a higher probability for a second.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking your problems are behind you after the initial leak. Take preventive steps and remain vigilant for additional problems. Otherwise, water damage can catch you unaware and cause more expensive problems.
5. Water Damage Isn’t Preventable
For some reason, some people hold the belief that water damage isn’t preventable. Actually, there are several ways to prevent water damage by mitigating leaks.
For one thing, you’ll want to check your water fixtures on a regular basis. Also, make it a point to schedule monthly maintenance for your HVAC, water heaters, and other related systems. Remember, the best way to prevent water damage is to be proactive with your maintenance. If you allow tasks to get away from you and go unchecked for too long, you won’t be able to address problems as they arise. As a result, they could worsen and lead to severe damage.
6. Water Damage Will Be Covered by Insurance
Many water-related issues aren’t addressed as promptly as they should be because people assume that their insurance will cover whatever damage occurs. The irony is that extensive water damage could drastically impact your insurance premiums.
Beyond that, if the water damage is so bad that mold and mildew have had a chance to develop, the result could be even more costly. Worse, if someone gets sick due to exposure to mold that had a chance to grow because you neglected to schedule water damage cleanup, you could be in even more trouble.
Don’t Let Water Damage Sneak Up on You
Now that you have an idea of the common misconceptions surrounding water damage, as well as how to identify hidden damage, you’ll be better prepared to address any issues you encounter.
