Hurricanes can wreak devastation on both coastal and inland landscapes. Many of the dangers from Florida storm damage are small and exist inside your home. These risks pertain largely to indoor water damage and mold. Maven Construction Group discusses the realities and dangers of water damage from hurricanes and provides tips on how storm damage restoration can help.
During a hurricane, interior damage to a home or business starts with water that infiltrates from outside in one of several ways.
When hurricanes occur, high-speed storm winds pick up and carry loose items, such as trash, tree branches, and aluminum siding. When these pieces of swirling debris strike a home’s exterior, they can break windows and crack doors. Through these new openings in the building, heavy rains pour in. The water proceeds to splash against walls inside the home and form stagnant puddles on the floors.
Roof shingles protect a home’s interior from outside moisture. But hurricane winds are strong enough to rip shingles off roofs. Without that layer of protection, roofs become susceptible to water leaks. Hurricane damage to a roof from a fallen tree or powerline, meanwhile, can result in even larger holes through which higher volumes of water can enter.
Flooding is always a major concern in communities susceptible to hurricane damage. Coastal properties face the risk of rapid flooding due to storm surges of ocean water during strong storms. These enormous waves can submerge multiple stories of buildings. Meanwhile, inland properties with low-lying topography, such as Gainesville, FL, storm damage can result from slow-rising floods of brackish waters. Formed by the mix of rain and downward-flowing groundwater, these inland floods can inundate a building’s first level.
Plumbing issues and leaking appliances are two of the most common causes for Gainesville restorations. But the difference between water from a burst pipe and that from a hurricane is the amount of salt. The salinity of ocean water is much higher than that of fresh water. And in a hurricane, salty ocean water travels with the storm and is dispelled in the form of rain. In the context of water-damage to property, salt is problematic because of its ability to corrode metal and wood. Because salt water imposes severe effects that often exceed effects from fresh water, ocean water is a vital consideration for storm damage repairs.
You might expect water damage after a hurricane to be visibly apparent, but that isn’t always the case. If a home had flooding, there could be curled floorboards, stains on lower walls, and other visible signs of damage. Most people in Gainesville don’t experience such blatant damage. Instead, the water damage they confront tends to be subtle and hidden away in areas of the home where water has slowly leaked in.
With the help of a restoration company that offers leak detection, Gainesville, FL, residents can pinpoint water damage in their homes. Minor details, such as an ill-fit window or worn out door seal could be the reason that enough moisture got inside to cause real damage. The location of this water damage tends to be hidden behind walls, under floors, or in basements. As a result, it often takes a restoration technician doing an inspection to find the damage.
When excess indoor moisture is left unaddressed, it can turn into mold. In fact, it only takes 48 hours after water infiltrates a home for mold to develop. Residents who live nationwide invariably report indoor mold outbreaks after a major hurricane passes. Performing mold removal early prevents this hazard from spreading. Yet anything short of total extirpation, and the mold will revive and spread.
In terms the appearance of this unwanted specimen, colors range from black to green to orange. But while it’s unsightly, mold’s real danger is that it poses health risks to humans. Upon noticing any mold growing in their homes, people should immediately contact a restoration company that offers mold remediation Gainesville, FL, residents trust.
Water damage after a hurricane can happen to anyone. But after the storm clears out, count on Maven Construction Group to restore your home or business to pristine condition. Our services include leak detection to identify and remediate hard-to-see damage from moisture. We also perform safe mold removal, so your indoor area remains healthy to live or work in. And in extreme cases of water damage, we offer emergency clean-up and restoration.
For storm repairs and restoration in Gainesville, contact Maven Construction Group today!
Locally owned and operated in Gainesville, FL, Maven Construction Group is a licensed general contractor, Angie’s List Certified Contractor, and is accredited and A-rated by the Better Business Bureau. Maven has delivered the best damage restoration and reconstruction services in North Central Florida for more than 15 years.
Certified General Contractor Lic # CGC1519003 Certified Mold Remediation Lic # MRSR2344