Drip, drip, drip . . . gurgle, gurgle, gurgle . . . sploosh! Whether water gets into your home due to seepage, a slow leak, a plumbing accident, or a natural disaster, one thing is for certain: water damage. In fact, long after the water's been drained away and mopped up, water damage may still be at play. Foundation cracks, electrical problems, mildew, and mold often develop or worsen after a flood event. What can you expect in the aftermath of flooding?

First, you'll have a major mess on your hands no matter how minor the flood. Let's face it, even pure rainwater turns to muck once it interacts with surfaces. All of the debris, dirt, grit, and germs tucked neatly away deep in your carpet and carpet pad soon rise to the surface, creating a stew of gunk. This gunk further decomposes when wet causing both odors and stains.

But the damage doesn't stop there. Anything that the water comes in contact with is fair game for water damage including floorboards, baseboards, furnishings, wallpaper, walls, insulation, mortar, and wiring. The longer the water sits, the more damage occurs. Floors begin to warp and soften sheetrock. Upholstery and drapes start to shrink.

In addition to water causing damage as it rises, it also causes damage as it falls. Gravity routes water from leaking roofs or upstairs overflows downwards, causing damage to everything in its path including ceilings, walls, and basements.

Rooms that were not affected by the initial submersion can suffer too. Imagine pictures and wallpaper curling from the high humidity and mildew forming. If the humidity is not controlled promptly, mold sets in.

A particularly troublesome type of water damage involves flooding that you can't see. For example, a burst pipe in a slab foundation won't be noticeable right away. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean that it isn't slowly causing cracks or damaging floors. Not only is this type of water leak difficult to detect, it's difficult to repair without jack hammering through the concrete!

Everyone knows that water and electricity don't mix. After a flood event, your home is a dangerous place. Even after the electricity has been shut off and the home dried, you may find that your wiring has been damaged or that electrical appliances no longer work. Similarly, gas appliances that have been soaked could be faulty. Gas appliances should be inspected before being lit because of the potential for delayed ignitions, otherwise known as explosions.

Clearly, dealing with water damage involves more than a mop. First, safety is of utmost importance followed by a prompt response. Drying out the home within 72 hours is an absolute must if you want to minimize the water damage. In addition to drying the home and its contents, disinfectants and mold inhibitors should be applied. After all, who knows what type of contaminants the floodwaters brought with them? Preventing mold is easier - and safer - than dealing with mold infestations and their nasty side effects.

As soon as you hear that telltale drip, drip, drip or suspect a water leak, it pays to act promptly. The sooner you can isolate the problem and stop the water source, the sooner you can act to prevent further water damage to your home.