Damage from Water Progresses Over Time | SERVPRO of East Brownsville & South Padre Island

9/10/2024 (Permalink)

That dripping faucet or small water spot may not seem like a big deal, but never underestimate how much damage water can do. In a year, the average household leak can lose up to 10,000 gallons of water.

Water moves quickly and causes destruction to floors, walls and other soft surfaces in its path. When an issue is addressed right away the damage done is greatly lessened.

Here is a basic timeline of water damage and what you need to know when water intrudes in your space:

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

Every household has a one in four chance of experiencing flood damage within 30 years of living in a high-risk area. Knowing what to do the moment you spot water is crucial.

The first 24 to 48 hours after flooding or any other water damage occurs are essential. Some belongings will begin to take on water and its ruinous effects immediately.

Upholstery and furnishings with soft surfaces will become saturated, while wooden structures will swell as they take on moisture. Books and photographs are vulnerable to warping beyond recognition. Additionally, mold will begin to form during this time. The faster action is taken the better the results will be.

At SERVPRO®, our mentality and expertise is to “restore vs. replace” so that we can protect your most precious items and save you money at the same time. If any damaged items can not be restored, we will communicate with you and handle removal as needed in order to continue drying out the rest of your home and materials.

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

After the first day, damage from moisture continues to progress further quickly. Mold spreads like a fire in an environment with excessive moisture, and the deeper it sets in, the more damage the home’s structure receives.

Wood surfaces and other porous items including walls will continually become compromised as metal surfaces will corrode.

<h2one-week">After One Week

Allowing moisture to sit for any length of time should be avoided as much as possible as the effects could be total destruction. The more time that passes the more cost, efforts and risks increase.

<h2SERVPRO-will-help">How SERVPRO Will Help

SERVPRO will start their process with the very first call, with the best results coming if the call is made in the first 24 hours. Work begins with removing as much water as possible to prevent any additional spread or damage and reduce total drying time.

Floors, furniture and other belongings will likely need to be cleaned, sanitized and deodorized. Once the majority of water has been removed, our specialized team will use industry-leading equipment to dry water you can’t even see.

Once these steps are complete, we will begin assessing for any needed construction to your property in order to restore your home back to preloss condition. This could include a minor repair or a complete rebuild of an area of your home.

SERVPRO is a full-service company and can simplify your recovery process by handling everything from initial damage mitigation to any required rebuild. We will stay in constant communication with you every step of the way to get you back in your home faster.

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.