When Is Water Damage Too Big, Too Complicated, or Too Disgusting To Clean Up Yourself?

When people ask us what we do at ServiceMaster by Cornerstone, we often tell them that we “clean up messes that are too big, too complicated, or too disgusting to clean up yourself.” When it comes to water damage, that obviously applies to things like burst pipes or a major roof leak in a downpour;  but what about those times when you have water damage that isn’t very big? How do you know if it's too big to handle yourself?

Our advice is to always call us for a moisture check if you suspect that water went under your floors or behind your walls. Often what appears to be minimal damage on the surface is actually much bigger behind the scenes, and water will spread faster and further than you might realize. Sometimes an area looks unaffected at first, but later shows signs of damage. Usually that’s the result of wet insulation slowly releasing the water, or your flooring being wet underneath.
 
One thing is for sure: You don’t want to leave water lingering in walls, ceilings and floors where it could take a long time to dry. If it stays wet long enough, you risk damage from wood rot to the structure of your home or building. Just as concerning is the likelihood of mold, which can spread quickly, creating unpleasant odors and perhaps even health risks for those with respiratory conditions and severe allergies.

You want to be sure an affected area is dry, and Cornerstone has special instruments that help us monitor not only areas behind walls and floors, but even the humidity levels in the air, which is something that most people don’t realize can cause additional damage if it isn’t brought down to normal indoor levels.

The phrases “too big” and “too complicated” usually apply to any significant plumbing leak since they almost always result in water finding its way behind walls, into ceilings or under flooring; and it’s almost always more than a little water, no matter how quickly you react to stop the flow. That water is under a lot of pressure, and when a pipe or water supply line bursts, you usually can’t get to the shut off valve quickly enough to prevent the water from spreading into the structure.

The “too disgusting” part applies to things like sewage and drain backups, toilet overflows, or outside ground water that enters your house during a flood. Those situations call for extra precautions and expertise because of concerns about bacteria or chemicals that are likely to be present in the affected area. Exposing yourself to those things is a huge health risk, and it’s just not necessary when well-trained, properly equipped professionals are available to thoroughly clean it up.

If you have a small spill or leak and you're able to react before it spreads much, then cleaning it up yourself with some towels should be a breeze. If it’s more serious than that, call the experts at Cornerstone; it’s what we do.