Timeline of Destruction for Water Damage

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage ruin your home or business. Call the pros at SERVPRO! 

A little water isn't going to hurt anything. WRONG!! When water damage is left untreated, the structure of a home or business starts to deteriorate over time. Here is the timeline of destruction if the water damage goes untreated: 

Within Minutes 

• Carpets, padding beneath flooring, subflooring becomes saturated. 
• Furniture on wet carpets starts to leach and stain. 
• Wood/wood products start absorbing water. 
• Personal belongings may be completely destroyed. 

Within Hours 

• Humidity makes the odor noticeable. 
• Particleboard cabinetry and furniture distorts and the integrity of the material weakens, crumbling over time. 
• Dyes from non-colorfast fabrics bleed (clothing stored together, upholstery, etc.). 
• In 48 hours or less, clean or grey water can deteriorate to black water, and areas that experience water intrusion clean water can rapidly become toxic. 

Within Days 

• Mold becomes visible and causes musty odors 
• Allergen sensitivities can be caused by microbial organisms. 
• Wood may severely warp and cup, making most wooden floors unsalvageable. 
• Painted walls blister and wallpaper begins to peel away. 
• Structural wood within home, such as framing, begins to swell and split. 

Within Weeks 

• Home is hazardous to human health and must be evacuated. 
• Mold infests organic materials, rendering it unsalvageable. 
• Drywall crumbles while the home’s structural integrity declines. 
• Damage to the foundation becomes apparent. 
• Home may be salvageable but may need to be gutted down to the studs. 

Within Months 

• Damage to the foundation may be significant. 
• The cost of repairs is likely more than the value of the home. 
• Damage that could have been prevented over time (i.e., neglect) disqualifies the owner from insurance claims. 
• The home may be unsalvageable 

Remember, just because it "looks dry" doesn't mean it is dry! 

SERVPRO of Fort Dodge 515-515-4009