Even though each water damage situation is unique, one thing that all of them have in common is that water damage occurs quickly. Water may and will enter into porous materials in minutes, and water only destroys compounds over time. The longer water damage remains in your Nashville house, the greater the damage will get, making cleanup a larger undertaking. Understanding how rapidly water damage spreads will help you respond more quickly when faced with water damage. The timeline below demonstrates how critical it is to begin water damage remediation as soon as possible.
Nasvhille Water Damage Restoration
Water damage that happens within the first several minutes: Damage begins the instant unwelcome water reaches unwelcome locations. Surrounding materials will begin to absorb water as soon as it is exposed to them, implying that porous materials will quickly approach saturation. Upholstery, carpet, wood, and rugs are all porous materials that will absorb water immediately. Finishes on furniture or colorful textile goods can begin to bleed immediately, spreading colors and ruining adjacent objects. Paper products, such as books, photographs, papers, and artworks, have a limited time to be removed from water before they are ruined by moisture.
Damage that happens within a few hours of water damage: Most materials will have reached maximum saturation within a few hours of being exposed to water damage, resulting in the breakdown and deterioration of these materials. Drywall and sheetrock are two examples of materials that inflate with water absorption and subsequently crumble apart within hours. When wood is exposed to water, it begins to swell, wrap, and change color, whereas metal things begin to tarnish, rust, and corrosion.
Damage that happens within the first two days of water damage: Water damage isn’t the only issue that needs to be addressed at this point; mold begins to form within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Because mold spreads and moves by minute airborne particles known as spores, not only is the damaged portion of the home at risk, but the entire house is now vulnerable to mold problems. Materials that have expanded as a result of the water’s weight will no longer be structurally sound, and cracking, bending, warping, breaking, and even rot will become visible. Wood flooring, baseboards, and trim may need to be replaced, and drywall and insulation may be irreparably damaged.
Damage that occurs after a week or longer of water damage: Water damage is now labeled ‘black water,’ and it is extremely contaminated. Contact with water that has been present for this long should be avoided at all costs, as it may result in major health issues. Microbial growth will be a major issue, threatening the structural integrity of your home. Most goods that have been exposed to water must be removed and replaced, and water damage cleaning will be a time-consuming and labor-intensive project.
The good news is that Tier Restoration can manage the whole cleanup procedure regardless of how long your water damage has been there. While it is best to call for water damage cleanup as soon as possible, it is also vital to realize that we are here to help regardless of how big or small your water damage scenario is, whether it is a new problem or one that has been going on unnoticed for extended periods of time.