How weird! You notice a pool under your refrigerator. You don’t remember spilling anything, but you clean it up anyway — only for the puddle to reappear the following day. It’s now safe to say you have a fridge issue that needs to be repaired soon. Here are some reasons why you don’t want to delay having your fridge fixed.
May Lead to Mold and Mildew
Particularly because underneath your fridge is dark, any water there may promote mold or mildew growth, which causes odors and can trigger allergies in you and your family. Black mold — one of the more concerning forms — thrives in these conditions and is dangerous for those with chronic respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems. Once you have either mold or mildew, it’s difficult to eradicate.
Will Damage the Floor
The floor will eventually absorb the water if you aren’t keeping on top of sopping it up. As the liquid remains, it’ll warp or discolor the linoleum, tile, or engineered wood. That water can also break the bond between panels or tiling, which will cause them to lift or loosen.
Could Damage the Subfloor
You have subflooring underneath your flooring, and it supports not only the visible tiling or paneling but also all the appliances, furniture, and even you and your family as you walk on your floor. Moreover, the subfloor levels your floor.
Repeated water exposure can seep into it and damage it. So, although your fridge may still work and you’re cleaning up the water as frequently as possible, you may have damage below the flooring that you can’t see.
A damaged subfloor adds to the expense of a restoration. As a general rule, the more damage, the more extensive and expensive the repair is.
May Damage Nearby Structures
If the puddle enlarges, it may spread beyond under your fridge and weasel its way into your plaster and drywall, eventually causing bubbling or swelling. Mold growth can happen inside the wall, harming the insulation, drywall, and even the wooden frame.
Whenever water stays near the baseboard, it can cause the wood to warp, swell, or even detach from the wall. Any paint on the baseboard could become discolored or peel.
A little pool of water under your fridge isn’t a problem to just deal with because it could worsen over time. If the cost of purchasing a replacement isn’t enough reason to want to fix it, consider the expense if the water damages the floor and surrounding areas. Fortunately, a professional company can come to your rescue and fix damage, including ridding your home of any mold or mildew, once you repair or replace the fridge.
If you’re noticing any appliance leaks, especially coming from your fridge, don’t shrug it off and keep cleaning up the mess; call Complete Detail Cleaning & Restoration in Troy, MI to repair the damage.
