There are so many things to worry about when it comes to bringing a living, breathing human being into the world! Besides taking care of them and keeping them alive, there are external factors as well, like making sure the nursery is safe!
A risk you may not have considered is water damage. This can quickly turn your nursery from a safe-haven to a danger zone for your baby. Worry not! From pipes leaking to your water breaking, you can easily mitigate and repair H20 damage by following this guide.
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Water Damage and Safety
Damage from leaks in the home can be an insidious problem that doesn’t pose as a threat right away. A small leak, if allowed to go on untreated for too long, can soak materials in the home and cause them to deteriorate. This could potentially mean the ceiling in your nursery, or even the crib.
Not only could the damage cause the ceiling to fall, but fluid can also seep into the walls. This will affect the internal framework while corroding the wiring inside the walls. Corrosion of the wires inside the walls can pose to a serious fire hazard. Fluid buildup in drywall can also cause the material to crumble when it dries, creating a falling-materials hazard. This isn’t as much of a safety concern, but this damage can stain the walls, making for very unattractive nursery décor.
If You Suspect Damage…
Figure out where you think it came from. There are three types of water:
- Clean –From rain, pipes, etc.
- Gray –Slightly dirty from appliances in the home
- Black –Sewage, flooding from rivers, etc.
Black is the most dangerous type of H20 as it is infested with bacteria. It is important to know where it came from first before trying to tackle it. Having black fluids around the nursery can lead to serious health problems, so you’ll need a professional to deal with it.
Check for Mold
Mold can grow within 24 hours if left in the right conditions. If the leak has gone on for a while and mold has been left with more time to grow, this can pose a serious health hazard to your baby’s small, forming lungs. Certain types of mold are toxic to humans and should not be breathed in. Cover up the contaminated area with a trash bag to avoid spreading the spores, and evacuate the area.
Ceiling Water Damage Repair
Ceiling leakage damage is among the most dangerous types of damage because of its propensity to crumble and fall. The true source of the leak may be far away from the stain, so inspect it carefully, and then call a professional. In states like Florida with a lot of humidity, follow up with the best water damage restoration company in Miami.
Bottom Line
Liquid damage can be very scary, especially if you didn’t see it coming. It can pose a huge risk to your new family for a few reasons: the bacteria it may have, the structural damage it can cause, and the risk of pieces of wall or ceiling falling on your baby’s head! If you suspect you may have water damage in your home, make sure to call a professional before trying to fix anything yourself.
If you haven’t noticed anything, but just want to be extra careful, here are some small precautions you can take to avoid damage from rain or leaky pipes:
- Clean your gutters
- Shut off your water main during long trips
- Replace old washing machine hoses
- Check your bill. If it’s unusually high and you haven’t been doing anything differently, there may be an undetectable leak and you have a case of water damage on your hands.
