Bridgeview, IL – Items Most at Risk to Water Damage | Home Restoration News

Has there been a flood warning issued in your area?

Our houses are home to many precious valuables and possessions. Many of these items need special care and attention otherwise they can soil very easily. These items are delicate and need protected environments. Natural elements like wind, dust, sunlight, and water can damage a lot of items in our home.

Water damage, in particular, can cause substantial damages to possessions and household items. Water doesn’t mix well with most materials like wood, fibers, paper.etc

Water damage presents itself due to two main reasons: internal seepage and flooding. There is also the chance that sewage water gets involved in the mix in both cases. This is because a sewerage line can leak or sewage can back up in a flood.

Water damage can be very costly to repair and recover from. Time is of the essence in combating water damage. The more you allow the problem to linger, the more damage will be done. You should know which items are at most risk in your house to better strategize. Knowing which items to prioritize can help in better water restoration planning.

Non-Wooden Furniture

Nonwooden furniture like sofas, chairs, and the like are at high risk from water damage. It doesn’t matter whether your sofas are made from cloth-based material or leather. Cloth and foam sofas can soak up water and be difficult to dry out. Leather sofas can also absorb water which causes the leather to crack and rip. If you live in a flood-prone area, you should consider placing your sofas at a slight elevation.

Carpets and Upholstery

Carpet and upholstery are the first items to feel the brunt of a flood. In most situations, they will be irreversibly damaged and you will need to throw them away. Carpeting can soak up standing water, even sewage water. At that point, it is better to do away with it instead of having expensive deep cleaning procedures. Upholstery can similarly get damaged from seepage and leakage. The water can degrade them over time without you knowing.

Books and Papers

You can forget about rescuing books and papers if they’ve already been submerged underwater. Paper and water is not a very good combination. Your books can soak water, lose ink, and dissolve in floodwater. If by some miracle, they do make it out intact, mold can attack quickly.

Books and paper objects are even at risk of being damaged by normal water. You may have your bookshelf away from the walls, but high humidity is enough to cause mold growth. You should always keep paper items like books in humidity-controlled rooms.