Translating…
Faulty plumbing can cause more than just structural or other physical damage to your home. It can pose a major threat to your overall health. This includes you, your children, and your pets. Not only does a bad pipe or leak require the help of your plumber, but you may need to have your doctor on call. The health concerns associated with this can range from minor to severe. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with many of these potential hazards.
Mold is the number one problem associated with leaking pipes. Water damage to your walls, ceilings, floors, under your sink, and other areas are perfect breeding grounds for mold. If there is sufficient moisture, mold can grow within two days. That is virtually no time at all.
The south is a humid environment. If you keep the humidity level in your house just the slightest bit too high, your home is prone to mold growth. Keep an eye out for condensation on your windows. This is most obvious way to note if the inside humidity is too high.
Now that you know exactly what causes mold, you should know its adverse health effects. On a minor note, mold can worsen your allergies or asthma. Many symptoms include coughing, congestion, eye irritation, skin rash, itchiness, runny nose, and worse asthma attacks. Mold can also cause infections in those with an immune suppression or lung disease.
Moving on to a more serious note. There have been links between mold and several severe effects and conditions. Now this data is not 100% accurate; however, researchers have enough solid evidence to believe that mold is the underlying cause. Many of these severe effects are: fever, vomiting, coughing up blood, nose bleeds, headaches, diarrhea, liver damage, fatigue, dizziness, and a few others. Some of these conditions may go away over time, while some may be permanent. Regardless, you must see a doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Aside from mold, the quality of your water can have serious effects on your health. Again, some are milder than others. For most homes, there are separate pipes for sewage and fresh water. If there is a leak in either one of these, especially the sewage pipe, this is the perfect opportunity for water contamination. If the water from your faucet or showerhead smells odd, this is a sign of contamination.
Contaminated drinking water can cause immediate health effects such as nausea, rashes, vomiting, lung problems, and sometimes even death. However, more often than not, contaminated drinking water leads to more delayed, long-term heath problems such as cancer, kidney damage, liver damage, nervous system damage, immune system damage, and birth defects.
Plumbers can save your life. They are the doctors for your home. It is extremely important to keep an eye out for leaking pipes or unusual moisture accumulating on your walls, floors, and ceilings. If you are experiencing any unusual health problems, please see a doctor and get a home inspection.