Minutes count when it comes to water damage

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

When water damage happens the clock is ticking, and is not on your side. This is why you must act quickly. Below we will breakdown a timeline of what can happen if you do not react in the time frame.

Within minutes

• Within the first few minute items like photos, books, cardboard boxes (stored items), and art pieces become saturated and can be unsalvageable.
• Water is soaked up into the padding, carpet walls and insulation. Possibly into upholstery.
• Wooden furniture legs start to lose the stain and may damage the carpet permanently as well as damaging the furniture piece.

Within an hour to 24 hours, you can expect to see.

• Pressed wood and sheetrock swell and show signs of breaking down.
• Printed paper goods like magazines will stain other items from the inks being released from them.
• Metal items will tarnish and lose luster
• Smell of mildew or musty odors may become apparent

After 48 hours to a week of moisture being left without mitigation.

• Mold and mildew production will grow exponentially
• Doors and windows may swell to the point they can not be opened even warp
• You may see signs of the paint blistering or peeling
• Wood flooring will cup and buckle. At this point it is usually too late for drying mats.
• Furniture may split from swelling and show signs of mold as well
• The category of water contamination may change from CAT 1 or2 to CAT 3 creating a biohazardous condition.

After a week or more

• Structural integrity may become compromised and more dangerous to work in. This includes ceilings falling in or walls collapsing
• Costs of reconstruction are significantly increased
• Safety of the structure may also be compromised posing risks to occupants and workers
• Biohazardous contaminates continue to increase

So, minutes count not only to get your home or business restored quickly but to stay safe and save money. Call us directly as soon as you discover  water damage at 336-946-1131