Timeline of Water Damage

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

Within the first hour:

• If water is moving at a quick pace it will spread throughout the dwelling, finding the path of least resistance, saturating everything in its path.
• Paper goods such as artwork, books, and magazines may become unsalvageable due to saturation.
• Stains/finish released from furniture could cause permanent staining on flooring and carpets.
• Finishers on moisture sensitive furniture may begin to turn white.

One to Twenty-Four Hours:

• Normal household odors will begin to intensify.
• Drywall swells and begins to breakdown.
• Laminated furniture begins to swell and split, and finish can begin to crack.
• Musty/sour odors become apparent.
• Metal surfaces that are unprotected begin to sully.
• Dyes/ink from textiles and paper goods begin to seep and spread causing staining.

Forty-Eight Hours to One Week:

• Unprotected metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Mold, mildew, and other contaminants have begun to grow and spread.
• Windows, doors, casings, and studs begin to swell and warp.
• Furniture warps and begins to show signs of mold.
• Adhesives begin to breakdown and release.
• Wood flooring begins to swell, warp, or buckle.
• Persons with respiratory concerns or compromised immune systems could experience distress or heightened sensitivity to allergens from microbial growth.  

    More than One Week:                               

• Structural safety and health concerns may pose serious hazards to residents, other living arrangements may be needed until reconstruction is complete.
• Claim cost and renovation increases due to vast restoration