How Long Does It Take for Water to Cause Damage?

Water is somewhat of a contradiction. It is necessary for life, of course, yet it can also be incredibly damaging. If there is a water leak in your home, for example, that leak could lead to extensive harm before it is discovered and corrected. And, unfortunately, it doesn’t take long at all for that water to cause damage.

If you need help with water damage cleanup in Greensboro NC, AdvantaClean is the first call you should make. We offer water damage repair services that are as timely as they are affordable, and we hope to have the chance to serve you soon.

The Damage Starts Immediately

The simple answer to the question in the title of this article is that damage starts to occur just as soon as the water escapes from wherever it is supposed to be. So, if there is a pipe in your basement that develops a leak and allows water to run down behind the walls or onto the floor, that water will start doing damage just as soon as it is out of the pipe. In other words, there is no safe amount of time to have a flood or a leak – they are all damaging in one way or another.

A Sliding Scale

With that said, there is certainly an element of timing involved in how bad the problem will get. Along with the volume of water, the duration that the water is where it shouldn’t be is a big variable in this equation. Water that is on some drywall for just a few hours might do minimal damage, as long as it is thoroughly dried up once discovered. On the other hand, if it is allowed to sit there for weeks, mold will likely grow and the whole area may need to be torn down and replaced.

It Depends on Materials

Soft, absorbent materials are going to be compromised much faster by water than harder items. For example, drywall is particularly vulnerable to water damage in a house, as it will soak up the water, swell, and hold onto it for a long time. The paper that is used on either side of drywall is often where mold growth takes hold. On the other hand, wood can withstand exposure to water for a little while without being too much worse for wear. Water exposure will eventually cause problems with wood as well, of course, but you generally have a little more time to work with than when dealing with drywall or a similar material.

Time Is of the Essence

With water damage, time is a major factor. You need to get started on Greensboro water damage restoration as soon as you know there is a problem, and for that, the first step is to call AdvantaClean. We are ready to jump into action to serve you and your family.