What Is Secondary Damage?

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

Learn more about Secondary Damage by following these tips.

When you have water in your building due to a flood or leak, the water may directly damage your property. However, this is not the only risk that water poses. Water damage can also lead to secondary damage from black mold and other sources. Cleaning up water damage and fixing the source of the water problem is the key to preventing this additional damage.

What Are Some Common Types of Secondary Damage?

Water can cause problems not only due to the effects of the water itself but because of the high humidity caused by the water evaporating into the air in your building. There are several common problems typically caused by water damage:

1. Electrical Damage

Water that gets into the electrical sockets can severely damage the electrical system in your building. This may create a shock hazard. It may also increase the risk of an electrical fire. If there is a chance that water has gotten into your electrical system, shut off the power at the main breaker, or contact your utility company, and schedule an electrician in Clearfield, UT, to inspect and repair your system.

2. Wood Rot

Contact with water and humidity can cause structures made from wood to rot. Without repairs, this can create structural issues in your building.

3. Mold Growth

Black mold can begin to grow as soon as 24 hours after water damage occurs. This makes it important to resolve water issues as quickly as possible. If you are dealing with a flooded building, contact a water remediation company to remove the water and dry out your building. If you notice signs of mold, you may need to contact a mold remediation company to remove it.

4. Corrosion

Metal materials that have been exposed to water may rust. This can weaken the structure of the metal which can lead to additional damage, such as leaking pipes. Metal materials with signs of corrosion should be repaired or replaced.

5. Flooring Damage

Flooring materials, such as laminate or hardwood, may buckle when exposed to water. Buckled flooring must be removed and replaced. Promptly removing water from flooring materials may prevent buckling from happening. Drying the area under flooring is also important because water that is trapped under flooring materials can promote mold growth.

Other Causes of Secondary Damage

Many causes of property damage can also lead to additional indirect damage. For example, fire creates smoke and corrosive substances that can damage both your building and its contents. In some cases, the smoke damage is worse than the damage from the flames. Additionally, the water and chemicals used to put out fires can cause damage to your property.

Wind may cause indirect damage to your property by creating holes in your structure that allow rain or snow to penetrate your building leading to water damage. A lightning strike could indirectly damage your property by causing a power surge or a fire.

Black mold and other types of indirect damage can be serious problems. The best way to prevent this type of damage is to reduce the chance of the primary damage from occurring and remediate it promptly when it happens.