rain on windowIt may come as a surprise, but moisture ranks among the top dangers to any home or commercial building. Once water gets into a building, you could face costly remediation and renovations. At Parker Young, our experienced team provides disaster repair services in Atlanta and the surrounding area. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about water damage.

How Does Water Damage Happen?

Water can damage a building in a variety of ways. Common causes include roof leaks, foundation cracks and other gaps in the structures exterior. Internally, homes can suffer bursting pipes or sewage backups. Lastly, severe weather that involves flooding or wind and impact damage are common causes.

Why Should I be Concerned About Water Penetration?

The water itself isn’t the primary hazard. What it brings into your home or business poses a threat. Once moisture gets into walls, beams or under floorboards, hazardous mold growth can take root in less than 48 hours. That’s a very tight window to get it cleaned up and dry. Mold only requires moisture and a food source such as timber to thrive. Unchecked mold can spread behind walls and create serious health problems for you and your loved ones. Remediation could require tearing out walls and entire sections of your property to cure the problem.

What Steps Should a Property Owner Take?

If you suffer moisture penetration, sewage backup or flooding, contact a disaster service professional immediately. The faster you manage the situation, the less costly cleanup and repairs may be. Contact your insurance company. It’s important to note that not all policies cover water damage. If your current homeowners insurance does not, you may want to update the policy.

Parker Young provides emergency water damage services for the residents of Georgia. If you need disaster repair services in Atlanta, contact us today.