Water Damage Timeline

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

Do you know how quickly intrusive water damage can be to your property?

Do you know how quickly intrusive water damage can be to your property? SERVPRO® knows how quickly it can take for even a small amount of water can negatively affect your home or business. 

Within Minutes 

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path. 
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings. 
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets. 
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp. 

One to Two Hours 

• Drywall begins to swell and break down. 
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish. 
• Furniture begins to crack and swell. 
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain. 
• A musty odor appears. 

48 Hours to One Week 

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread. 
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp. 
• Metal begins to rust and corrode. 
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold. 
• Paint begins to blister. 
• Wood flooring swells and warps. 
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible. 

More Than One Week 

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive. 
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risk to occupants.