Water Damage Follows This Timeline

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

You may have noticed your bathroom sink leaks every once in a while. No big deal, right? Wrong! You should never underestimate the havoc water can wreak on your home.

The average household leak can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water in a year.

Any water damage your home may be experiencing progresses rapidly, penetrating floors, walls and soft surfaces. The best way to react is to address the issue as soon as possible before it can get worse. Here’s a timeline of how quickly the damage can set in.

<h2first-24-hours">The First 24 Hours

Your Central Honolulu home has a one in four chance of encountering flood damage within a 30-year period in a high-risk area. Knowing what to do next is essential.

Immediately after, within the first 24 to 48 hours, certain items will immediately fall victim to water’s disastrous effects.

Upholstered furnishings and wood structures can swell as a result of moisture. Fragile items, such as books and photographs, may become warped beyond repair. This is also when mold first starts to develop, which means it’s vital to take action within this time period.

The experts at SERVPRO of Central Honolulu specialize in restoration, and we want to make sure you save money and your precious keepsakes! Those are the items that can’t be replaced. We will make sure to let you know if there are any items that cannot be saved.

<h2the-first-week">Within the First Week

After the first 24 hours, water damage will progress further and quickly. If excessive moisture is present, mold will spread exponentially. If mold begins to grow, it can even cause structural damage to your home.

Any porous surfaces in your home like wood or walls will begin to show the damage, as they’re compromised by the moisture. Metal surfaces in your home will start corroding as well.

<h2a-week">In a Week

It’s never a good idea to let water damage progress this far. Letting the moisture sit for an extended period of time could cause irreversible damage. As time goes on, the costs and efforts to restore the structure will increase significantly, and the risks associated with structural damage are greater.

<h2SERVPRO-can-help-you">How SERVPRO Can Help You

Here’s what you need to know about our restoration process: The journey begins with the first call. It’s optimal if you call within the first 24 hours, so we can provide you with the best results possible.

Our service work then begins with a thorough extraction of the water in your home. That way we can prevent the spread of water throughout the structure and reduce drying time.

Next, your home will likely need a full cleaning, including sanitation and deodorization. Lucky for you, our specialists are experts who will come equipped with industry-leading drying equipment to remove the water you can’t see.

Lastly, your home may require construction work to get back to its preloss condition, but we’re prepared to handle anything from minor repairs to rebuilding entire areas of your home.

We can simplify the restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. SERVPRO will keep you up to date on every step and have you back in your home or business in no time.

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.