subject: If You Leave it Wet – You Might Regret [print this page] Have you ever noticed a damp area in the home and figured, Ill get to that later? It could be a damp spot under a window, the floorboards near the bathtub, a secluded area in the basement, or any other wet area. Its tempting to postpone dealing with these minor issues because they are just that: minor. Or are they? The problem with leaving an area wet, even an area where you dont spend much time such as the basement, is that while you may be ignoring the problem, the problem isnt going away. In fact, its growing. While nature has a natural process, evaporation, for drying standing water, in the home this isnt enough. Plus, these incidents are usually fed by continuous leaks, condensation, and seepage. Even if you dry the affected area one day, if the water source is not repaired, then the water will return shortly after. Not only is the problem area continuously wet, the water is slowly doing damage to surrounding surfaces. You may need to replace carpets, rugs, baseboards, floorboards, wallpaper, drapes, and other materials due to water damage. Thats regret number one. Had you not left it wet, youd have no regret. But now, you have a construction bill that you would not have had before. This wouldnt be so bad if the water damage was limited to replacing a few floorboards. However, theres a second regret that is likely to affect you. Standing water in the home is a breeding ground for an unwelcome guest: mold. And its an attractive place for mold to settle with its water source and plentiful nutrients. Unfortunately, if mold is allowed to grow unchecked in your home, it can become a serious health concern. Plus, mold, like water, is extremely damaging to the materials it comes in contact with. Remember those plentiful nutrients just mentioned? Mold essentially eats the surface it resides on! If you have moldy carpets, mold is consuming the carpets fibers. If notice mold on the drywall or ceiling tiles, mold is eating those building materials. Left unchecked, those damp areas of your home can soon become severely damaged areas. Instead of a minor repair bill, you could be faced with a huge one. Building materials may need to be removed and replaced, your house may need mold remediation, and you could be wondering why you have a runny nose all the time. Do your home, and your health, a favor by regularly inspecting your house for wetness. Pay special attention to areas where water is likely to appear such as around windows and doors, around appliances, and around plumbing. Use four of your five senses including sight (looking for signs of water and condensation), sound (listening for drips), smell (sniffing for mold and mildew odors), and touch (feeling for dampness). Once youve discovered a leak, puddle, or damp area, evaluate it. How did it get wet? Dry the area and immediately address the source of the problem. You may need to re-caulk a window or replace a plumbing fitting. The problem may be more serious, requiring the services of an expert. Whatever the cause, dont ignore it. Youll regret it if you do.
