Water Damage Timeline: The Importance of a Quick Response

There’s a reason water damage cleanup companies are available 24/7 with emergency response services. It’s because time is of the essence when it comes to water damage. The sooner the water can be stopped, extracted, and dried out, the least amount of damage will occur. You need to act fast to ensure the best cleanup for your home or business. Below is a water damage timeline to help you understand just how destructive water damage can be over time.

Immediate Effects of Water Damage

Water spreads quickly and saturates everything it comes into contact with. Materials exposed to the water begin to absorb it after mere minutes, especially those that are porous, like wood. Paper goods will also deteriorate from exposure to water; if they are not removed quickly, they will no longer be salvageable.

24 Hours After Water Damage Has Occurred

After absorbing water, materials like carpet and upholstery will become heavy and sodden. Other materials like drywall, wood, and insulation will start to show signs of water damage, including swelling, warping, bowing, and peeling. Metal objects will start to tarnish, and colors from dyed fabrics can start to bleed out and stain their surroundings. Along with a high risk of electrocution, if there is standing water, mold growth will also begin within 24 hours of water damage.

48 Hours After Water Damage Has Occurred

Mold growth starts to spread and can even begin to be visible on surfaces. Stagnant water can also lead to the growth of other harmful microorganisms. Wood furniture and framing will warp, threatening your home's or business's structural integrity. By this point, any metal objects will show signs of corrosion, like rust, while other types of materials will continue to deteriorate.

One Week After Water Damage Has Occurred

Restoration becomes a much more difficult and expensive process if water is allowed to sit one week after the initial damage has occurred. In addition to structural repairs for all sodden materials like wood, drywall, and insulation, water contamination levels are a big safety concern. Very few items and belongings, if any, can be salvaged after this long. It’s important to note that only trained professionals should handle water damage cleanup of this size and scope.

Your Water Damage Restoration Professionals

No matter what type of water damage your home or business experiences, you will need the help of restoration experts to restore your property to its pre-loss state. Our team of water restoration experts will take all appropriate steps to ensure your health and safety are protected from potentially dangerous contamination levels. Meanwhile, we also work to get you back to normal as quickly as possible – staying true to our mission to ensure the continuity of lives and businesses. Contact Guarantee Restoration today to get started.