Water Damage Timeline: An Overview

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage is an especially destructive and invasive type of emergency.

In our business, the restoration industry, we deal with dire situations day in and day out that require immediate attention and action. In particular, water damage is an especially destructive and invasive type of emergency. In order to prevent the water from spreading throughout your home or business, becoming absorbed into a variety of surfaces, SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team - Team Wall can always be relied upon to arrive on site and initiate the water extraction process as soon as possible. Have you ever wondered what happens if you let water damage sit on its own for extended periods of time? In this blog, we’ll illustrate just how devastating water left alone can be for residential and commercial properties alike by sharing our Water Damage Timeline, which breaks down damage that can be sustained in mere minutes, a day, more than 2 days, and more than a week:

In Minutes

When water sits untouched for a period of minutes, the water is already spreading and becoming absorbed into surfaces such as floors, walls, and upholstery, as well as your home or business’ belongings. In this time frame, the water’s infiltration into furniture and upholstery can cause dyes to bleed and eventually stain other surfaces and upholstery. If the water gets to other items like books, paper, or photographs, swelling and warping can occur. 

1 Hour - 1 Day:

After 60 minutes have passed, drywall begins to swell and eventually break down. Additionally, furniture may also swell and crack, while metal surfaces tend to tarnish. Stains on carpeting and upholstery continue to deepen and spread. Lastly, the emergence of a musty odor is not uncommon during this period.

2 Days - 1 Week:

During this time window, there is a dangerously increased risk for biohazard contamination. Your property may experience the growth and spread of mold and mildew, which can pose serious consequences to structures and anyone inhabiting or frequenting the property. Mold may also begin to grow on furniture and other wet surfaces. Wood flooring is also significantly impacted during this time frame, as it may swell and warp, risking ruin. 

After 1 Week

Once a week has passed without restoration efforts, the cost and overall scope of the restoration necessary to salvage the property drastically increase. It is likely that contaminated materials, including walls, floors, and other surfaces, would not be salvageable and therefore, they would require replacement. Additionally, structural elements may require rebuilding, which can be an expensive process. In this scenario, occupants of the property are at risk of danger due to biohazard contaminants, unsafe structural, and mold growth.

Call SERVPRO Immediately 

Based on this information, it is obvious that water damage restoration services are absolutely necessary as soon as possible following the discovery of water in your home or commercial property. Be sure to call SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team - Team Wall and SERVPRO of Hunt Valley and Harford County immediately at (410) 229-0012 for professional Water Damage Restoration Services for residential and commercial properties alike. SERVPRO Team Wall is committed to restoring your home or commercial property to its preloss condition, no matter how big or small the damage. On our website, you can read more about our trusted Water Damage Restoration Process, which has allowed us to help make water damage “Like it never even happened,” for multitudes of customers over the years. You can even find our best tips for ways to deal with a water damage emergency before help arrives.