20 Feb Do Overflowing Toilets Cause Mold?
Toilet overflows can be an inconvenience for homeowners that can also make it difficult to clean up. The problem can be very serious, however, which homeowners might not know. Water damage due to toilet malfunctions is quite common. Even worse, micro-organic contaminants in sewage water can lead to serious mold damage and make people sick.
Toilet overflow remediation teams can help you manage your toilet problems and prevent them becoming more dangerous for your family.
Property Loss from Toilet Overflows
Did you know there are 3 different water types? Each one presents distinct risks. Water that leaks from your home’s piping is safe and relatively harmless. Gray water is the slightly dirty water that comes out of your washing machine, dishwasher and clean toilet. It’s not generally dangerous.
Black water is, however, the sewage and floodwaters of nearby ponds and lakes that contain bacteria, waste, or other contaminants. If not treated properly, it can lead to severe health problems.
An overflowing toilet can result in varying degrees depending on how your home is laid out.
- Baseboards & trim
- Flooring and subfloors
- Drywall
- Electrical wiring
- Lower level ceilings
- Cabinets
- Carpeting
Water damage from an overflowing bathroom can lead to mold growth in your home if it is not treated. This happens usually within 24 hours to 48 hours.
What to Do if Your Toilet Overflows
Toilet overflows can cause serious damage or inconvenience. The source and amount of water will affect the level of threat. A toilet that overflows can indicate a problem with your home’s plumbing or water lines.
Call your local Long Beach Plumber and get a professional water damage restoration company to assess if there has been any water damage to your home.
While you wait for the restoration crew, take steps to minimize the damage that can be caused by the overflowing toilet.
- Determine where the water is coming from: Is it coming from a tank or supply line, or is it backing up in the toilet?
- Contact your insurer or company. You can start a claim as soon as possible to get an expert water and mold mitigation company involved in the cleanup.
- Repair clean water damage. If water is not contaminated, you can take steps to stop water flow and then dry wet objects and surfaces.
- Black water is dangerous. Only professionals should handle it.
You shouldn’t assume there isn’t any water damage or mold damage because you can’t see the problem with your naked eye. Water can seep into tiny cracks and crevices. Hidden destruction can happen in places that only the professionals know about.
Mold Issues Resulted from a Toilet overflow
Black water damage caused by a toilet backup can cause significant financial loss, but can be much more damaging to your health. Water contaminated by sewage and other contaminants can pose a danger to your health.
- Toxic chemicals:Sewage contains dangerous gasses like methane, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide.
- Dangerous microorganisms Sewage contamination has been responsible for many pandemics such as cholera or typhoid. To protect your health, it is important to get rid of sewage-contaminated water after a toilet backup.
- ChemicalsThe EPA continually reminds people that they should “flush responsible!” Products such as cleansers and beauty products can build up in the pipes of their homes. If your toilet overflows, chemicals from these products can find their way into your home.
Black water in your house can cause various types of toxic mold, as well as respiratory and digestive ailments like E-coli. Mold damage professionals are usually better equipped than you to detect mold in your house, but you can inspect your home for visible mold and mildew.
It’s not uncommon for a water event like a toilet backup to reveal previous mold problems hidden in your house. Mold could be found under your floors or in the attic. This is because mold has been there for years and is just now becoming apparent.
You should be cautious when handling molds that are toxic to your health. If you discover mold, do not touch the area. The specialized equipment they use can remove black water damage safely and without causing injury to you, your family, or your pets.