The High Price of Secondary Water Damage

Visible, immediate water damage can make any homeowner shudder: wet flooring, damaged furniture and other possessions. And then there’s the exhausting, expensive cleanup. But many don’t consider the secondary dangers of water damage. This can include mold and mildew, electrical issues, rotting wood and harmful bacteria.

As if that isn’t enough, you can risk losing your home insurance or a preferred status with your insurer after a large water damage claim. Read on to find out more about secondary water damage and how to prevent it.

You don’t want water damage.

No one wants a major water leak. But when you look at secondary water damage, it’s even more apparent why you should take proactive steps to avoid it. Here are just a few of the possible results of a water leak.

Mold and mildew

When an area of your home is wet, it can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. This type of damage does not need a significant period of time to begin. Within 24 hours of a water leak, you can have the start of mold and mildew. Couple that with the fact that mold and mildew can grow on nearly any surface, and you have the recipe for a major problem! Ceilings, flooring, baseboards, wallpaper – all can be perfect places for mold to take hold.

Electrical damage

Water leaks can cause electrical wire corrosion, damaging appliances directly or from resulting power surges. Corroded electrical wires can also be a fire danger. Costs related to fixing electrical issues, and the appliances they can damage, adds to the money you’ll spend fixing a water leak.

Rotting wood

Wood rot can cause not only aesthetic damage but structural damage to your home. There are so many places where wood damage can occur – flooring, baseboards, windows, door frames and wooden beams that support your floors. Secondary damage can include wood that is “swollen” from water and eventually breaks down.

Damaged drywall

When your drywall absorbs water, it can become brittle and warp. It can absorb the moisture and develop mold or simply lose its structural integrity.

Chemical dangers

Water leaks from pipes can contain dirt and toxins that are unhealthy. Outside water can have sewer waste or other contaminants. This bacteria can enter your home and – if not treated – grow.

Staining of walls and surfaces

When water comes in contact with your walls and floor, it can result in stains that are difficult or impossible to remove, requiring more expensive renovations.

Corroded pipes

Even your pipes can be damaged by a water leak. Pipes that are meant for carrying tap water, can be corroded by other water.

Bugs and roaches

Water leaks can attract some unpleasant insects. Roaches, in particular, are attracted to leaking water.

Catch leaks in real-time with bluebot.

If you want to be proactive in avoiding primary and secondary water damage caused by leaks, look no further than bluebot, the innovative, easy-to-install water meter. With a smart home water meter, you get data sent to an app on your phone, which can alert you of any leaks. This works for your primary residence as well as offers protection for second homes, vacation home and rentals and commercial properties.

Some home water meters are difficult to install. Not bluebot! With a simple clamp-on design, anyone can install bluebot in minutes – no plumbers, no pipe cutting, and no water shut offs. Just attach bluebot to nearly any water pipe, install the app on your phone, and you’ll get real-time water information (with only a one second delay).

Homeowners and property managers have used bluebot to help them catch leaks as they happen, before major damage can occur.

Buy bluebot today and take steps toward avoiding secondary water damage.