How Long Does It Take for Water to Damage a House?

Water damage can be a serious problem for homeowners, and it can start to cause damage in as little as an hour. That's why it's important to contact a water damage restoration company like Steamy Concepts as soon as possible. Whether it's a leaking pipe or a flooded basement, the top priority is to identify the source and stop any water leaks. Mold, damage to floors, walls and electricity, and even structural problems can occur within 24 hours of a leak or flood.

This is why it's best to quickly hire a water cleaning professional near you for a consultation and repair. With enough moisture, mold can develop in your home in 24 to 48 hours, leading to potential health issues. If left unchecked, mold will grow in water and grow faster and easier. On average, excess water in a home will typically dry out in a week or two on its own.

The problem with leaving it alone for so long is that there is a greater risk of developing mold and other health hazards. If left unattended, parts of the house structure could collapse from combined water and mold damage. This makes the water damage remediation process even more important to begin as soon as possible. This is partly because the source of the water damage hasn't been addressed, but it also has to do with the chemicals in the paint used to paint your house and your drywall.

Common sources of leaks include rusted and corroded pipes, high water pressure, extreme temperatures, broken water connectors, and more. Category 1 water damage is defined as “clear water”, category 2 is “gray water” and category 3 is “sewage”. It's almost impossible to completely prevent water damage during the time you live in your home, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Another unexpected cost of leaving water damage unattended is structural safety and health issues that pose a serious threat to home occupants.

If you've only experienced a small leak under the sink, for example, it's quite easy to remove all items affected by water damage to assess their resilience. And when it comes to water problems in a home, they can range from a small leak to considerable structural damage. Water and moisture can damage hardware floors quickly, so this process should be started as soon as possible. To minimize the spread of mold and the risk of serious structural damage, contact a water damage restoration professional within 24 to 48 hours.

If you notice normal household odors starting to intensify, it may be due to water damage. There may be water deep in the wall that can quickly cause a serious problem, such as structural damage that jeopardizes the integrity of the home.It's important to understand what type of water damage you have before deciding if you need professional assistance with the recovery process. As for your electrical appliances, water damage can be immediately apparent and cause a malfunction. Sometime between 48 hours (approximately 2 days) until the one-week window of water damage, you'll also notice furniture warping and showing signs of mold.