Unfortunately, the risks do not end when the flooding is over. The remaining standing water is very dangerous and presents several hazards to your health and your home. Never enter standing water, no matter how clean it looks. Instead, contact a professional water damage restoration team to remove the water and remove any hazards.

Here are the primary risks of standing water after a flood

1. Bacteria And Viruses

Standing water quickly becomes stagnant water and stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. That is because bacteria and viruses thrive in water. Many of these microbes are very harmful to humans. E Coli, Salmonella, and Legionella are just some of the common microbes that thrive in standing water.

2. Mold

Mold, especially dangerous black mold, loves standing water. Standing water is full of organic contaminants that provide a food source for mold. Plus, mold is very attracted to moisture. Therefore, mold flourishes and spreads very quickly in standing water. Even after the water is removed, the mold spores can linger. So it’s critical you work with a professional for your water cleanup.

3. Parasites

Many parasites love water. Giardia, Entamoeba, and Cryptosporidium are very common parasites found in standing water. These parasites tend to prefer gray and black water, but can be found in clear water flooding too. All of these parasites can make you very sick, so they are best avoided at all costs.

4. Toxins

Standing water does not just have organic hazards, it can also contain toxic chemicals used in human industry. Standing water can contain runoff from manufacturing sites, pesticides and herbicides from agricultural activities, and petrochemicals like fuel from transportation. Standing water can also have pollutants like lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals.

5. Waste

A very common hazard in standing water is waste. Oftentimes when there is flooding, it overwhelms the wastewater system, leading to sewage backups. Sewage backups are full of dangerous waste that can lead to things like Cholera, Shigellosis, and Typhoid Fever.

6. Insects

Standing water attracts some of the most damaging insects. It attracts termites, cockroaches, earwigs, ants, and silverfish–all of which can damage your home. Standing water is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes carry several illnesses that can be transferred to humans like malaria, West Nile, and Zika.

7. Rodents

Rodents like rats and mice are attracted to water sources. Though they don’t live in standing water like a lot of the other hazards, they will make their home nearby. If the standing water is in your home, that means they will make a nest somewhere inside your house.

If there is standing water, do not chance entering it. These seven hazards are very serious risks to your health and home. Instead, call a professional water damage restoration company, like Dry Patrol. We will clear your home of standing water and remove all of these hazards. Ensuring that it is safe again to enter your home.