How Water Damage Progresses Over Time | SERVPRO of South Atlanta

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

No matter the damage sustained, SERVPRO of South Atlanta has the tools and team to help your home return to a normal state quickly.

Take a look around your home. Do you notice anything that seems out of place? Perhaps you spot a small water spot on the ceiling.

It may seem like a minor issue with little connection to the rest of your home. However, small water issues like this or even a leaky faucet can cause catastrophic damage over time.

An average household leak can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water in a year, and you never know exactly where that water is traveling to in your home.

Water damage progresses rapidly, seeping into floors, walls and soft surfaces. That’s why it is crucial to address the issue right away to produce the best results.

Here’s what you need to know about the timeline of water damage:

In the First 24 Hours

When you live in a house, there is a one in four chance of a flood damaging it within a 30-year period in a high-risk area. Knowing what to do next is essential.

The first 24 to 48 hours after flooding or water damage in your South Atlanta home are crucial. Certain items will immediately fall victim to water’s disastrous effects.

This could include anything from personal belongings like books and photographs to soft furnishings and upholstery. All of these items are especially prone to warping and ruin. Additionally, mold can begin to develop within this timeframe. That’s why it’s important to act swiftly.

SERVPRO’s expertise and “restore vs. replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. If any materials cannot be successfully restored, this will be communicated to you. These materials are typically removed as soon as possible to expedite the drying of all restorable materials.

Within the First Week

We want to tackle the water damage in your home as soon as possible because within the first 24 hours, water damage will already be taking hold of your home. Mold can spread like wildfire with excessive moisture, and as mold sets in, it can damage your home’s structure.

Additionally, porous surfaces, such as wood surfaces and walls, will become increasingly compromised, and metal surfaces will start corroding.

After One Week

The best approach is to avoid letting moisture sit in your home because water damage progresses so quickly and some of the effects may be irreversible.

As time goes on, the costs and efforts required to restore the structure will increase significantly, and the risks associated with structural damage are greater.

How SERVPRO Will Help

SERVPRO’s restoration process begins with the first call, preferably within the first 24 hours. Service work normally starts with a thorough extraction of water. This helps prevent the spread of water in the structure and reduces drying time.

Mostly likely, floors, furniture and other belongings will require cleaning, sanitizing and deodorization. After the bulk of the water has been removed, our specialists will use industry-leading drying equipment to remove the water and moisture you can’t see.

After these initial steps, your home may need construction work to get your property back to its preloss condition. This step could include minor repairs or 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 of South Atlanta has the tools and teams to help your home or business recover. Call (404) 592-9634 or Contact us 24⁄7 when you need a dependable team to help you recover.