Each year, water damage in homes and buildings resulting from frozen burst pipes cause billions of dollars in property damage. I think 2018 will be remembered as the year all the pipes burst just like 2015 was the year of the dams.
Black Mold On Walls Due To Burst Pipes
As water freezes, it expands and can put tremendous pressure on both metal and plastic pipes. If a pipe does break, many supply lines can easily release hundreds of gallons of water each day. This water will gradually make its way to the lowest area it can reach. This means a burst pipe on a second floor can cause water damage not only to that level of the property, but also to the floor below and the basement or crawl space.
Water escaping from a burst pipe can ruin building materials, belongings and furnishing. It can also result in structural damage and allow for the growth of mold. The presence of mold can impact the indoor air quality (IAQ) for anyone in the home or building and cause everything from allergies and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) to triggering asthma in those with the condition. Some types of mold can even cause infections in people with a weakened immune system.
Fortunately, there are things people can do to help prevent pipes from freezing. They include the following:
Widespread Mold Resulting From Pipe
In the event of a burst pipe, be sure to know where the water supply line and shutoff valve for the building is located.
These are just a few things to know about how frozen pipes can lead to water damage and mold growth. To learn more about this or other indoor environmental issues, contact IndoorDoctor today for your healthier tomorrow.
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