Standing water—whether inside or outside your home—can be an unsightly mess. Clogged drains in your shower, insufficient drainage in your yard, or even your neighbor’s neglected pool can lead to musty smells and ugly eyesores. Worse yet, standing water can also be harmful to your health.
If you have a pool of stagnant water in your basement or attic, should you take immediate action? Can what you can’t see still affect your home or health? The simple answer is, yes. Regardless of where the standing water is located, the problem should be addressed immediately.
The water damage restoration experts at Save the Day Restoration are here to explain why leaving standing water in your home for any amount of time is unsafe.
What is Standing Water?
Standing or stagnant water occurs when there are no mechanical or natural movements to generate a current. Standing water can form in ponds, poorly maintained pools, and even your basement or garage. The main causes of stagnant water inside your home include faulty plumbing, pipe bursts, and leaks. Regardless of whether the standing water is a few centimeters or a few inches deep, it should never be ignored.
Stagnant water can lead to a vast array of dangerous problems, including mold infestations, bacteria, insects, and more. These could all put you and your family in jeopardy.
The Dangerous of Standing Water
Some of the biggest dangers of stagnant water include:
- Bacteria: Wet environments are breeding grounds for all sorts of harmful bacteria. E. coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus thrive in moist areas of your home where the standing water is located. These bacteria can be unhealthy for both people and pets alike. Additionally, stagnant water can promote the spread of unhealthy viruses, including hepatitis E, Norwalk virus, and rotavirus.
- Insects: Many types of bugs, including mosquitoes, breed in stagnant water. That’s why you see so many insects near bogs or ponds. Mosquitoes can spread deadly diseases, including the West Nile virus and dengue fever.
- Vermin: Other unwanted guests are attracted to standing water. This water is a convenient drinking supply for rats, mice, and other vermin.
- Mold: Fungi and mold love standing water. If you have a leak behind your wall that goes unnoticed, it can create puddles, promoting the growth of mold. Not only does mold damage leave unsightly green stains and muggy smells, but it can also negatively affect your home’s indoor air quality and cause negative health effects for those who live there.
How to Deal with Stagnant Water
If you think you have standing water inside your home, it’s crucial to address the issue as soon as possible to prevent further problems. Start by identifying the source of the water. You might need to call a team of water damage restoration technicians, like Save the Day Restoration.
Our experienced team will fully extract the water with our powerful equipment and then use industrial dryers to fully dry the area, preventing the growth of mold. Depending on how polluted the stagnant water is, we’ll decontaminate the area using industrial-grade chemicals that sanitize the area, but don’t pose a threat to your loved ones or pets. If your home was damaged, we will also perform structural restoration to return it to its pre-damage condition.
Preventing Standing Water in Your Home
Keeping your home safe and free of standing water starts with proper prevention. In order to reduce your home’s risk of developing stagnant water, follow these simple tips:
- Regularly clean and inspect your gutters
- Extend your downspouts at least six feet away from your home to divert the water’s flow path
- Install a sump pump
- Immediately clean up any water spills
- Repair any leaks as soon as possible
- Ensure your lawn has good drainage
- Properly maintain your swimming pool
If you take these steps, you can protect your home and your loved ones from the dangers of standing water.
Quality Water Damage Restoration Solutions in Los Angeles
If your home has been affected by standing water or any other potential source of water damage, call the experts at Save the Day Restoration now. Our licensed, bonded, and insured team provides 24/7 emergency services and has over 15 years of experience in the industry. If the stagnant water led to a mold infestation, our mold remediation specialists will address the situation properly so your home is once clean and safe once again.
To learn more, contact us today by calling (562) 524-1704.
