How Long Does It Take Water To Destroy a Home and Its Content

4/2/2019 (Permalink)

Water Damage

How long do you think it takes water to destroy a home and its contents?  When it comes to water damage time is of the essence.  You know the old saying time heals all wounds?  Well that is not the case when the wound is a flooded house.  Here I am going to go over a time line of the destruction water can cause when not cleaned up at all or not cleaned up properly.

Within minutes-

Water contamination will spread quickly.  Furniture that is sensitive to moister will begin to turn a white color.  And furniture that is on carpet will bleed to the carpet causing unrepairable stains.

Within hours-

Your furniture will delaminate and swell and basically be destroyed.  The house will begin to smell because normal household odors will be amplified.  Colors on all the colorfast materials in your home will then begin to bleed.

Within days-

Fungi begins to appear, along with a musty odor.  This is the point that your wood is going to warp.  Wood floors will become unsalvageable.  Your wallpaper and paint are going to start to blister and peel away from the wall.

Within weeks-

Mold will have set in.  Anyone living in the home will need to move out for health reasons and the structure will need to be completely gutted. 

Knowing all of this you now see how important it is to get a reputable company, like SERVPRO Western O’Fallon/ Wentzville out on the job.  We are available 24/7 so that we can get to you most of the time within an hour and start to get your life put back in order with minimal damage.