As mentioned above, some forms of water damage can manifest almost instantly. In as little as one hour, drywall can bulge and break. In addition, metal surfaces may begin to tarnish and furniture may swell and crack after a day of exposure to water. Okay, the worst-case scenario where clean water damages your home is one hour.
How long it takes for water damage repairs to be completed depends on how long it takes for the affected material to dry and the severity of the damage. If it's just a single room, perhaps two, it will likely take less than a month: 72 hours to dry and another 1 to 2 weeks to repair the damage. Whether it's broken pipes, leaking appliances, or more serious problems, such as sewer jams, flooded basements, or even water damage after a fire, they can all cause major problems. By taking some precautions in advance, you can avoid water damage and ensure that your home remains safe at all times.
For example, people may start to have respiratory problems, such as bronchitis or asthma, so treating water damage is essential. Some simple water damage issues can be fairly easy for a homeowner to clean up without assistance, but anything other than a minor problem requires the help of a professional to prevent further damage. If water damage comes from a clogged sewer network, or if the water is gray or black, wait for professionals to touch or treat the water in any way, as it poses a serious biological hazard. If you leave water damage for too long, your insurance may not cover it and the cost of water damage in your home may be high.
However, as you're about to discover, water doesn't always cause damage immediately after a leak occurs. This makes the process of remediating water damage all the more important to begin as soon as possible. If the professional finds any damage to your roof, make sure it's repaired right away to protect it against water damage inside. If the volume of water is lower, it can take up to five weeks before the landlord can see some of the signs of water damage.
To minimize the spread of mold and the risk of serious structural damage, contact a water damage restoration professional within 24 to 48 hours. Any water that can get into the house and on the walls will make a difference and can cause this type of damage. First of all, there is the damage caused by water itself, which damages building materials, appliances, accessories and furniture when found and accumulated, and electronic devices are especially susceptible to damage. The magnitude of the problem is often more important than it seems, since water damage is hidden behind walls and under floorboards.
Once you have stopped the actual leak, you should immediately start the water mitigation process, which consists of preventing or reducing the amount of water damage, to prevent further damage.
