Is Water Damage Serious?

Whether dealing with a simple leaky pipe or a huge flood, identifying and cutting off the source of the water should be a top priority. This is so important due to the fact that water damage follows right along. Unfortunately, water damage can ruin your home faster and worse than you may think. Within the first 24 hours of initial damage, all sorts of issues will arise such as mold growth, structural problems, and permanent damage to walls, floors, and even ceilings. 

Water Damage Restoration – Ames

There’s no denying that water damage is extremely harmful not only to your property but also to you and anyone living on the property. Water damage will affect building materials, appliances, fixtures, and furniture the longer it stays. Moreover, mold is guaranteed to begin growing around water damage within the first 24-48 hours. This is a concern because mold can be detrimental to both the breakdown of materials, as well as harmful to a person’s health. 

How Quickly Does Water Damage Happen?

Sadly, even the smallest leak can be troublesome. Water spreads and absorbs quickly within a home. If you leave water damage too long, your insurance may not cover it and the cost of water damage to your home could be hefty.

Within 24 Hours

As a leak begins to spread, it will soak everything that it can reach. This means that personal belongings such as books and photographs can immediately bulge and warp beyond repair. Furniture and upholstery will absorb much of the water whereas the walls and floors will take the brunt end of the damage. Drywall, furniture, wooden doors and floors, and window frames will begin to swell. Additionally, paint and wallpaper begin to peel away, blister, or bubble from the walls, and electrical systems will become dangerous and malfunction. 

Furthermore, mold will begin to grow in all the moist spots within your home. Mold can dangerous to a person’s health, especially when constantly exposed to it and have preexisting conditions. It causes health problems such as allergic reactions, asthma attacks, eye and/or skin irritation, irritated throats/nose, and lung problems

Within The Week

After that first initial day, the effects of water damage will only begin to worsen. When mold is left alone to grow, it will infest a home and compromise anything in its path. If the mold is not immediately taken care of, rampant mold growth could take over a house and, in extreme cases, cause the structure to be condemned. 

Anything that has absorbed water will begin to weaken further. Walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, etc. will soften and become completely unsound. Metal surfaces will begin to corrode as well. 

More Than A Week

If water damage is left for more than a week, the timescales, costs, and effort invxolved in any restoration work will increase significantly. The spread of mold increases dramatically, and the risks associated with structural damage are greater.

The effects of water damage are extremely serious and should never be taken lightly. The longer cleanup is put off, the worse the problem will become.  However, trying to tackle it on your own can be a long and taxing process with many missed areas. Water damage restoration specialists at Restoration 1 of Des Moines can be sure to solve the problem for you quickly and appropriately. You do not need to risk your health to start water damage restoration, let the professionals help you.