Standing water is an annoyance. Clogged drains that leave water in your sink, poor drainage in your yard leading to puddles, or even your neighbor’s poorly maintained swimming pool are foul, unpleasant, and bothersome. But are they dangerous? The answer is yes!
The Dangers of Stagnant Water
After the water has been sitting still for a while, all kinds of problems can happen. For example, bacteria run rampant, insects use it as a breeding ground, and vermin find a handy watering hole. You don’t want any of these things happening in or near your home.
- Bacteria: As we all learned in school, many varieties of bacteria thrive in moist environments, and many of those are terrible for human and animal health. Additionally, standing water often ends up contaminated by human or animal waste, which is full of nasty bacteria as well. Not only can this lead to that ugly green scum you see on standing water, but also if pets or small children drink even a tiny amount of this water, they can become very sick.
- Insects: Many insects, especially mosquitoes, breed in standing water. Any amount of water that’s grown stagnant is prime mosquito territory – and mosquitoes carry a large variety of diseases. Malaria and dengue fever can occur even here in Florida, but the big concerns are the Zika virus, West Nile virus, and some varieties of encephalitis. To prevent your family from contracting these terrible illnesses, keep that stagnant water away from your home.
- Vermin: Mice, rats, possums, and other vermin are always looking for watering holes, and you don’t want them to find one at your house! Not only are they annoying, but they also carry disease and spread their waste everywhere. Don’t let your house and yard become an attractive place for vermin to gather.
Standing Water Inside the Home
Water can also accumulate inside the house and cause another set of problems. During a hurricane, flood, or other disaster, water pipes can break and lead to standing water inside the house, often in places that aren’t immediately obvious. When this happens, you end up with bacteria and mold in your home that can cause illness in your family. The other big concern is rot, which can lead to structural damage in your home amongst many other issues.
What to Do About Stagnant Water
As with most problems, prevention is key! Make sure your lawn has proper drainage so you don’t end up with puddles after a hard rain and keep any containers that could fill with water upside-down. Make sure your swimming pool is kept clean and well-maintained.
If something slips past your notice and you end up with standing water in or around your home, it’s important to deal with it right away. Empty out any containers that have been filled with rainwater and contact a landscaper if necessary to deal with drainage in your lawn.
To deal with standing water inside your house, call the Plumbing & Cooling Nerds to fix those broken pipes or clogged drains. We’ll find the best solution to the problem, so you won’t have to deal with it again and again. Give us a call at (239) 215-3330 or request an appointment online.
