Water Damage Timeline

2/1/2018 (Permalink)

Within Minutes:

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

Hours 1-24: 

• 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 begin to spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears. 

48 Hours to 1 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 1 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 risks to occupants.