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5 Health Hazards of Santa Rosa Flood Water

water damage restoration

When your home floods, grabbing a bucket in an attempt to remove the water is instinctual. Instead, take a deep breath and contact a water damage restoration company for a safer solution. Flood water from a weather event carry everything in their wake into your home. The result is hazardous to your health and your family’s. Rather than cleaning up yourself, a better plan is to first get your family out of the home and away from floodwaters. 

Next contact a water damage restoration company. Professional companies like California Steam Clean manage flood water removal safely. We’ve dealt with every type of flooding situation and take the proper precautions to avoid health risks. 

#1 Flood Water Carries Bacteria, Viruses, and Parasites 

Flood water is often full of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Sewage in the water is especially a health hazard. Giardia, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, and salmonella are bacterial pathogens found in floodwater. Each of these causes stomach upset and gastrointestinal illnesses.

And, bacteria entering through an open cut on the body, potentially cause serious infections. People exposed to flesh-eating bacteria in floodwaters experience dangerous consequences. 

Consider these health hazards, and it makes sense to avoid the flood water in your home and contact a water damage restoration company right away. 

#2 Flood Water and Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a serious illness. Most people assume it’s only possible to get it through other means, but it is possible to contract it from floodwater. The most typical form found in the United States is Hepatitis A. 

#3 Flood Water and Legionnaires’ disease

Legionnaire bacteria causes Legionnaires’ disease, a serious respiratory illness. And, this bacteria is commonly found in water. The danger is when someone accidentally swallows or breathes water droplets containing legionnaire bacteria. 

#4 Flood Water and Mosquito-Borne Illnesses

Water attracts mosquitoes. They are carried along in floodwater. In the United States, the primary mosquito-borne illness of concern is the West Nile and Zika viruses. However, some states experience Dengue Fever as well from mosquitoes. You don’t need to stand in the floodwater for this danger. Cleaning debris up around an area that’s been flooded can result in a bite from a mosquito-carrying disease. 

#5 Flood Water Carries Gasoline and Toxic Chemicals 

Floodwater doesn’t discriminate when it comes to what carries. If gasoline or toxic chemicals are in the path of a flood, they are swept up in it. The health hazards of these substances are obvious and another reason to leave water damage restoration to the professionals. 

Why Call on California Steam Clean for Water Damage Restoration in a Flood? 

When you discover floodwaters in your home, California Steam Clean is on call 24/7 to give you peace of mind. We understand this is an emergency and arrive as quickly as possible. 

Our trained technicians extract the water with powerful vacuums quickly. Then, they dry out the home completely to prevent mold problems. Once the home is dry we clean and sanitize it. 


California Steam Clean is a trusted company with an excellent reputation in the Sonoma County area. When you need a water damage restoration company, contact us right away!