Contaminants Found In Flooded Basements: A Cause To Call An Emergency Plumber | Myrtle Beach, SC

8/4/2021

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It’s always a good idea to be prepared for the worst. More people than you’d think have experienced a flooded basement. Basement floodings can happen at any time and can occur to anyone. Even if your basement has never flooded yet, it doesn’t mean that it will never flood in the future.

Flooding usually occurs when there’s a lot of rain or when a lot of snowmelt. However, they can also happen when the climate is dry. Common causes of a flooded basement include poor lot grading, an issue with the pipes like a leaky main water line, or even an unmaintained foundation.

When faced with flooding, you need to call an emergency plumber right away. The water will not only damage and weaken the structural integrity of your home, but the water can also be hazardous to your health. We’ll look at some of the most common contaminants that you can be exposed to when your basement is flooded.

Your Biggest Concerns

One of the biggest concerns that you should have when dealing with a flooded basement is exposure to microorganisms. In particular, you need to be concerned about getting exposed to bacteria, viruses, and fungi like mold. The longer that the water is allowed to sit, the more likely it is that more microorganisms will be able to thrive. The water can also seep into your walls and cause mold to grow there.

Let’s take a look at the three most common types of pathogens that you’ll face below: bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Bacteria

One of the most concerning bacteria that you might expose yourself to is Legionella. Many emergency plumbers are finding these bacteria in stagnant water that sits in unused plumbing. Exposure to these bacteria can lead to the development of Legionnaire’s Disease, which is basically a respiratory condition that can lead to death in worst-case scenarios.

If your basement is flooded, it becomes an ideal breeding ground for this type of bacteria, which is why you need to speak with an emergency plumber in Myrtle Beach, SC as soon as possible.

The plumber will not only be able to limit your exposure to these pathogens, but they will also be able to treat the water to get rid of them completely. It’s quite easy for a lot of these pathogens to hide in biofilm or other areas.

Viruses

There are also plenty of water-transmitted viral pathogens that you need to be concerned about. Some of these pathogens can have a moderate risk to your overall health. Those with autoimmune conditions will need to be particularly wary.

Some of the most common viruses that you need to be wary of include adenovirus, astrovirus, calicivirus, coronaviruses, hepeviridae, picornavirus, and reovirus. The different types of viruses will cause different diseases. For example, exposure to adenovirus can lead to the development of pharyngitis and conjunctivitis. On the other hand, exposure to picornavirus can lead to the development of meningitis, rush, gastroenteritis, and hepatitis A.

Fungi

Wherever you find stagnant water, you’ll also find fungi. Mold and powdery mildew thrive in wet, humid environments. If you don’t get an emergency plumber to come to fix the problem as soon as possible, you could expose yourself to fungi. These microorganisms reproduce by spreading spores. If you inhale these spores, you could put yourself at risk of a lot of health problems.

Some mold can cause symptoms like headaches, gastrointestinal issues, cognitive decline, dizziness, and more. In some worst-case scenarios, exposure to mold could also lead to respiratory issues and even death. Those who have autoimmune conditions will be particularly susceptible and vulnerable to the negative effects of fungi, like mold and powdery mildew.

Worst of all, if these microorganisms are given the chance to grow and thrive, they are incredibly difficult to eliminate. It’s incredibly easy for some of the spores to start growing on the other side of the walls where you can’t see them. If the humidity levels ever rise in your home, these spores will have a chance to thrive once again, and you’ll be forced to have to tear everything down and rebuild it again.

Don’t Forget the Insects and Vermin!

Last but not least, don’t forget the insects and vermin. Both are equally as attracted to stagnant water, and any mosquitos in your area will be more than happy to lay eggs in stagnant water. This could expose you to additional health problems and issues.

Vermin, like rodents, are also always on the lookout for water sources. If you don’t deal with a flood in your basement quickly by calling an emergency plumber, you’ll find that it’ll easily attract a whole ecology of insects and vermin to your home. If this happens, you’re going to have to call an exterminator and a contractor on top of an emergency plumber. The cost of fixing the problem will rise exponentially!

Call an Emergency Plumber in Myrtle Beach, SC

Call an emergency plumber as soon as possible if your basement is flooded. The problem will worsen exponentially if you wait. Not only will you be exposed to contaminants that can damage your health, but the water can seep into many areas and cause irreparable damage. The water may also need to be treated depending on where the water is coming from and where it has seeped into.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach has served the Myrtle Beach and Conway, SC area for over a decade. Our plumbers are licensed and insured and able to provide a wide range of plumbing services, from water line repairs to drain cleaning services. We provide both commercial and residential plumbing services.

To contact an emergency plumber in Myrtle Beach, SC, call 843.894.0905. We’ll drop everything that we’re doing to come to fix your problem right away. If you’re facing a flood, we’ll be able to act quickly in order to reduce the risk of exposure to pathogens and in order to avoid extensive and costly water damage to your home.