What is "Secondary Damage?"

7/23/2021 (Permalink)

Mold growth is just one example of a secondary damage that can occur when water losses are not handled quickly!

In the cleanup and restoration industry, one of our top priorities, and one of the many reasons that we strive to provide the fastest possible service, is to limit the amount of secondary damage sustained at your home or business.  What is secondary damage though?  Are there different types of secondary damage?  What does it mean if my home or business does get secondary damages?  Let us dive into these questions below.

What is secondary damage?

Simply put, secondary damage is additional damage that occurs because of the original damage.  A speedy response to the original damage, coupled with professional restoration practices, greatly limits, and may even eliminate, secondary damages from taking place.

Are there different types of secondary damage?

Yes, many!  Let’s take a water damage from a supply line break for a refrigerator.  The original damage is what is done by the water pouring out of the broken supply line.  If left unattended, this water can seep into the surrounding baseboards and drywall, providing the perfect environment for mold growth.  This mold growth would then be a secondary damage.  Additional secondary damages that may arise from this original water damage could include odor within the building, or worse yet, depending on the amount of time lapsed, serious structural damages, such as rotting of floors.

What does it mean if my home or business does get secondary damage?

Secondary damages can have many implications: increased stress and worry, increased financial burden, more time needed for remediation and reconstruction work needed, and the list goes on.  Taking care of an issue before additional damages develop is always the best plan of action when it comes to cleanup and restoration services.

Here to Help with both your primary and secondary damages, SERVPRO of Bay County is proud to serve the communities of Mexico Beach, Callaway, Lynn Haven, and surrounding areas.  Our team of highly trained professionals is available for emergency response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  To learn more or request service, please give us a call at 850-785-1077.