Top Dangers of Standing Water

17feb 2021

It is important to be wary about the dangers of standing water and why it's best to let the experts handle it

Water is a harsh element that could wreak havoc at any given time, causing massive damages to property or even health risks. One such incident that could demonstrate water's potentially harmful nature is the existence of standing water. Standing water can be dangerous, whether it's from a natural disaster or from an ordinary household water damage problem. When left unattended, it could be a source of many problems, as well as the cause of expensive property repairs.

While standing water can effectively be removed by professional water damage restoration specialists, such as the staff at ServiceMaster by Wright, it is still important to be wary about the dangers of standing water and why it's best to let the experts handle it. Read them below.

Risks Posed by Standing Water

Standing water contains many elements that can pose danger to human health, including the following:

Microorganisms - Harmful bacteria and viruses may be present in standing water, and getting in contact or ingesting this water can make you sick.
Mold - In as little as 24 to 48 hours, mold can grow in areas affected by a recent water damage event. If standing water is not extracted and the area is not dried immediately, mold is sure to thrive, and may even spread to other areas of your home.
Insects - Standing water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can carry deadly diseases like Zika virus and malaria.
Rodents - Standing water can attract mice and rats. Like mosquitoes, they can also carry illnesses and spread contamination within the home.

If the standing water is caused by a flood, it may contain the following, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Coal ash waste that can contain carcinogenic compounds such as arsenic, chromium, and mercury
Downed power lines
Household, medical, and industrial hazardous waste (chemical, biological, and radiological)
Human and livestock waste
Other contaminants that can lead to illness
Physical objects such as lumber, vehicles, and debris
Wild or stray animals such as rodents and snakes

When exposed to contaminated floodwaters, a person may experience the following:

Gastrointestinal illness
Leptospirosis (not common)
Skin rash
Tetanus
Wound infections

How to Prevent Standing Water

To avoid the dangers caused by standing water, it is necessary to prevent it in the first place. Standing water can be prevented by performing the following:

Cleaning drains and gutters to ensure proper drainage
Keeping the swimming pool clean
Emptying containers that collect rainwater and turning them upside down

How to Deal with Standing Water

If you find standing water in your home, turn off the water source and remove as much water as possible, then call the professionals. Don't come in contact with floodwaters from natural disasters; call the experts immediately.

Contact Water Removal and Cleanup Service Provider in Southwest Florida

Trust ServiceMaster by Wright

When it comes to standing water removal, only trust the experts. For over 40 years, ServiceMaster by Wright has been providing professional water damage restoration and cleanup solutions to both residential and commercial properties in Southwest Florida. We have a team of licensed and fully bonded professionals who are trained in the latest industry practices and procedures and are equipped to handle your water damage problem. ServiceMaster by Wright uses state-of-the-art equipment to effectively remove the water, dry the area, and bring the property back to pre-disaster condition.

Contact ServiceMaster by Wright at (239) 431-9947 or connect with us online to schedule an appointment. Our Emergency Response Team is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you immediately. We service customers in Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Englewood, Estero, Fort Myers, Longboat Key, Naples, Marco Island, Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Venice, Florida, and surrounding areas.

Many factors affect the water damage mitigation process, such as the level of contamination. Learn more in this article by ServiceMaster by Wright.

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