How Water Damage Affects Your Home | SERVPRO® of Hayward

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Hayward is your 24/7 water restoration expert. Call us right away if you need immediate service.

Even the most insignificant amount of water in your home can cause long-term damage. Whether it be a slow drip from that pesky leaky faucet in your basement or a small water spot on the ceiling after a heavy rain or snow melt, it can cause major headaches in the long run if left untreated.

An average household leak can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water in a year.

Water damage moves quickly and silently, seeping into walls, floorboards and through softer surfaces like carpet and furniture. Catching it early and acting on the damage gives your home the best chance of drying out properly.

Here’s what you need to know about the timeline of water damage:

<h2the-first-24-hours">In the First 24 Hours

If you live in a house, there is a one in four chance of a flood damaging your home within a 30-year period in a high-risk area. Especially with the change in seasons and the snow melt in upper Wisconsin, untreated water damage in your home can lead to disastrous effects.

The first 24 to 48 hours after the flooding or water damage has occurred can be the most important timeframe in preventing long-term problems. While quick action can help in the long run, even the quickest responses can still cause certain fragile items in your home to be damaged beyond repair.

Possessions like books, photo albums or other soft materials are especially vulnerable to immediate and irreparable damage. They will warp, swell or simply fall apart after being soaked in water.

We strive to “restore vs. replace” here at SERVPRO of Hayward, and we will do our best to preserve those precious memories and keepsakes for you. While we always do our best work, if there are some materials that cannot be saved, this will be communicated to you.

These types of things are usually removed first to expedite their drying process to give them the best chance of restoration.

<h2the-first-week">Within the First Week

After the first 24 hours, water damage will bring about mold, and once mold sets in, it can spread like wildfire. If it starts to grow in high-risk areas, it can even damage your home’s internal structure.

Additionally, porous surfaces such as wood surfaces and walls will become increasingly compromised, and metal surfaces will start corroding.

<h2one-week">After One Week

After a week, any untreated and excess moisture can cause irreversible damage. As the days go by, it gets more and more expensive to restore and more extensive to rebuild upon the damage. It is important to not delay in your response!

<h2SERVPRO-of-hayward-will-help">How SERVPRO of Hayward Will Help

We begin your restoration process with the first phone call, usually within 24 hours. We begin with our water extraction process, and then we proceed on to cleaning, sanitizing and deodorizing your floors and other soft materials in your home.

After the majority of the visible water is removed, our technicians will use our state-of-the-art drying equipment to remove the hidden moisture.

If the damage is extensive, after these first few cleanup steps, your home may need additional construction work to fully restore itself to its preloss condition. Whether it is just a minor repair or a full rebuild of an area, we can help. SERVPRO of Hayward will keep you up to date on every step and have you back in your home or business in no time.

Regardless of the type of water damage sustained, SERVPRO has the tools and teams to help your home or business recover. Contact us ²⁴⁄₇ when you need a dependable team to help you recover.