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How long does it take for water damage to take effect?

Water damage can take effect very quickly, and the damage will compound the longer you wait to take action and begin the water damage restoration process. The speed and severity of water damage depends on a variety of factors, including the amount of water, type of water (clean vs. contaminated), affected materials and environmental conditions. The following timeline provides a general overview of how quickly damage will occur to your property.

Within the first few hours:

  • Water can begin to spread and be absorbed by porous materials such as drywall, wood and carpeting
  • Furniture can start to swell and crack
  • Electrical appliances in contact with water can malfunction

Within 24-48 hours:

  • Mold can begin to grow
  • Drywall may start to bulge and break
  • Metal surfaces can begin to tarnish
  • Air quality can drop, and unpleasant odors may develop due to mold growth

Within a week:

  • Mold growth accelerates and spreads throughout the property
  • Wood floors, doors and windows may warp and swell
  • Metal components can start to corrode
  • Structural damage increases

It’s critical to contact a water damage restoration company right away to minimize the damage and prevent many of these issues from developing.

Additional Recommended FAQs

What is water damage restoration?

Water damage restoration is the process of repairing or restoring a property that has been damaged by water due to floods, leaks, burst pipes, or other water-related disasters.

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Will my homeowner’s insurance cover water damage?

In most instances, homeowner’s insurance policies will cover water damage caused by storm damage or plumbing issues such as a burst pipe or broken appliance. However, flood damage is often not covered by insurance policies.

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Does water damage go away?

Unfortunately, water damage doesn’t go away on its own. It must be addressed by a professional water damage restoration company to prevent the development of additional, more serious problems that can create serious health and safety issues at your property.

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What is water damage remediation?

There are three stages to addressing water damage to your property – mitigation, remediation and restoration.

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How long does water damage restoration take?

The water damage restoration process can vary in time significantly based on the extent of the damage you experience. If only small areas of the property were damaged, the entire process can potentially be completed within a few days.

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How much does water damage restoration cost?

The cost of water damage restoration varies based on the severity of damage and is a crucial task that is necessary to prevent serious long-term damage to your property, including the development of mold.

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What does a water damage restoration company do?

Water damage restoration companies provide a wide range of services to help mitigate the damage to your property and restore it to its original condition.

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