While each case is unique, water damage typically follows a similar pattern.   It is important to act quickly with water leakage or flooding.   If you have water damage,  please contact a reputable water restoration company to immediately extract water and help to disinfect to prevent microbial growth.   Be sure to get an estimate of the charges before you sign a contract.   For claim purposes, if you can, please take pictures and document what you can.

The damage water can do :

In less than an hour:

• Moving water quickly spreads to other areas like up sheetrock and up insulation.
• Furniture may stain carpet permanently.
• Moisture-sensitive furniture may discolor.
• Paper goods or other porous materials may be ruined.

In one to 24 hours:

• Furniture delaminates or swells: legs can split.
• Pressed wood swells or disintegrates.
• Bacterial odor becomes apparent.
• Uncoated metal surfaces may tarnish.
• Normal household odors strengthen.

In 2 to 7 days:

• Microbial growth may appear, accompanied by a musty odor.
• Drywall swells and disintegrates.
• Door and window casings swell and distort or delaminate.
• Wood decking and studs begin to swell, warp, and split.
• Electronic components may malfunction.

In 7 days or longer:

• Microbial growth may appear, accompanied by a musty odor.
• Wood components warp and split.
• Chemicals within wood dissolve, discolor or destroy finishes.
• Serious occupant health hazards may occur.