Water Damage Timeline

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

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Within Minutes of a water damage:

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

1-24 hours after a water damage:

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

48 hours to one week after water damage:

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

More than one week after water damage:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be very expensive
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contamination pose a serious risk to occupants