24/7 Emergency Service
How Water Damage Worsens Over Time
4/27/2022 (Permalink)
No matter the damage sustained, SERVPRO of Billings has the tools and team to help your home return to a normal state quickly.
A dripping faucet or a little water spot may not seem like a big deal, but you should never underestimate the amount of damage moisture can cause. On average, a household leak can lose up to 10,000 gallons of water per year.
Water moves quickly and damages most everything in its path, including floors, walls and any soft surfaces. Response time matters, and the faster an issue is addressed, the better your results will be. Here is a timeline of water damage and what you need to know to mitigate it.
There is a one in four chance that your household will experience flood damage within 30 years of living in a high-risk area. Knowing what to do once you have spotted water is essential.
The first two days after water damage or flooding occurs are crucial. Some items in your home will fall victim to destruction immediately.
Upholstery and other soft furnishings absorb water and become soaked through, while wooden structures can swell from moisture. Personal belongings like photos and books are susceptible to warping and other damage rendering them ruined. Mold can also begin setting up within the first 24 to 48 hours. Quick action can start to limit damage and save your property.
SERVPRO wants to restore rather than replace your personal items, saving you money. Any materials that cannot be restored will be communicated to you and we will handle any required removal in order to continue the drying process.
After the first 24 hours have passed, water damage progresses quickly. The spread of mold takes off like wildfire in an environment with excessive moisture. Mold can even set in to the very structure of your home or business.
In addition to the mold spread, any porous surfaces like wood or walls become more and more compromised while metal surfaces start corroding.
Moisture should not be allowed to sit for any length of time as the effects could be irreversible and catastrophic. As time passes, restoration cost and efforts increase greatly, while the risk and damage to structures gets worse.
Our restoration process begins the moment you call us, hopefully within the first 24 hours of water intrusion. SERVPRO generally begins our service with a complete extraction of water. This stops the spread of water within your home and reduces overall drying time.
Once the majority of the water is removed, our highly trained team will use industry-leading drying equipment to remove unseen water. Floors, furniture and other belongings will likely require cleaning, sanitizing and deodorization.
After these steps are finished, construction work may be required in order to restore your home or business back to preloss condition. This could mean minor repairs or the complete rebuild of an entire area.
SERVPRO is a full-service restoration company that can simplify your recovery by completing each step required to get you back in your home faster. We will keep you aware of each step’s progress and let you know the moment you can get back to normal.
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.