Updated: 8/29/2024
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!
Still Water vs. Stagnant Water: What’s the Difference?
While both terms refer to water that isn’t actively moving, there’s a key difference:
- Still Water: This refers to water that is temporarily stationary but clean, such as water in a pool, birdbath, or undisturbed container. With proper maintenance, still water isn’t inherently harmful.
- Stagnant Water: This is water that has been left undisturbed for an extended period, often becoming contaminated with bacteria, insects, and organic debris. Stagnant water poses serious health risks and attracts pests like mosquitoes and vermin.
Understanding this distinction highlights the importance of preventing water from becoming stagnant to protect your home and health.
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 microbial growth 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.
Additional Consequences of Standing Water
Mold and Mildew Growth: When mold and mildew grow in stagnant water, they release harmful spores into the air, which can cause respiratory issues and weaken the structural integrity of your home or business. Prolonged exposure can result in costly repairs as mold penetrates walls, ceilings, and floors, leading to significant damage.
Slip and Fall Hazards: Standing water can create dangerous slip-and-fall hazards, especially on slick surfaces like concrete. These accidents can cause serious injuries, including broken bones and head injuries.
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. Maintain your swimming pool to avoid it becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria.
- Proper Drainage: Install an efficient drainage system to prevent water from pooling around your home. This might include grading your yard or installing French drains.
- Regular Maintenance: Keep gutters, downspouts, and drainage systems clear of debris to ensure water flows away from your home.
- Fill Low-Lying Areas: Prevent water accumulation by filling depressions in your yard with dirt or gravel.
- Plant Strategically: Plant trees and shrubs that absorb water and stabilize soil to reduce erosion and runoff.
If standing water becomes an issue, address it immediately. Empty any containers that have collected rainwater, and consult a landscaper to improve drainage. For indoor issues, call Plumbing & Cooling Nerds to fix broken pipes or clogged drains. We’ll find the best solution so you won’t have to deal with the problem repeatedly. Call us at (239) 215-3330 or request an appointment online.
