Why Immediate Response to Water Damage Is Crucial for Homeowners

6 min read

The aftermath of these disasters is often devastating and can potentially cause long-term damage if left untreated. When faced with such events, swift action is crucial in preventing the further deterioration of your property and belongings. Often, just taking measures to limit exposure to water can facilitate water damage restoration in East Texas, which also helps reduce your financial burden due to extensive repairs.

Time is always of the essence when it comes to effective water damage restoration in East Texas. Below, we delve into the consequences of delayed response by highlighting the water damage timeline. We’ll also explore the impact of urgency in facilitating your property’s water damage restoration and the role East Texas restoration experts play throughout this process.

The Water Damage Timeline: Why a Delayed Response Can Be Costly

Water damage begins when water flows through areas within your property that are supposed to be dry. These can be your walls, floors, basement or any other space within your home. Over time, water seeps deeper into building materials, which can weaken their structural integrity. The more time this is allowed to happen, the bigger the extent of damage will be. This is illustrated in the following timeline:

• First few minutes: water spreads throughout your property and saturates everything within its immediate path, including floors, walls and baseboards.
• One hour: Exposure to water will begin to affect the finishes on furniture and will turn white due to water exposure. Paper materials will also start to swell or warp.
• A few hours: Severe humidity will cause moisture to penetrate insulation and drywall and cause unpleasant odors.
• 24 hours: Drywall begins to swell and break down. Mold will also start to grow.
• 48 hours: Significant mold and mildew colonies will form on top of paint and drywall. Unprotected metals begin to corrode and pit.
• Within one week: Paint begins to peel as the walls deteriorate. Blisters will form on the surface as a result of adhesives breaking down.
• More than one week: If you fail to take water damage restoration measures after one week, the above symptoms will worsen. Your family’s health may also be compromised due to mold and other health risks posed by water damage.

A delayed response in the treatment of water damage does not just result in delaying the East Texas restoration process – it can also exacerbate the situation and lead to more extensive repairs. A seemingly minor issue becomes a bigger problem the more water is allowed to seep deeper into the building materials, which is why an immediate response is crucial.

Long-Term Effects of Water Damage

The likelihood of secondary water damage increases the longer you wait to address the initial problem. Aside from the issues already mentioned above, the following are also other forms of water damage you can expect:

Structural Damage

One of the most devastating effects of water damage is structural damage. As water seeps into your home’s foundation, building materials may weaken due to microbial growth and rot, compromising their structural integrity. Over time, the damage increases, which may lead to the destruction of your floors, walls or ceiling.

Microbial Growth

As mentioned above, mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours. When left unaddressed, mold colonies can increase and spread to other areas of your home. These can cause structural damage, depending on the surfaces on which the colonies grow. Aside from property damage, exposure to spores can also harm your and your family’s health.

Electrical Issues

Water intrusion can harm your home’s electrical systems due to the damage it causes to your wiring. These include the following:

• Short circuits as a result of water infiltration
• Moisture can result in corrosion of the central conductor
• Mildew growth can damage the wiring and insulation

Reduced Indoor Air Quality

Mold and mildew growth can cause indoor air quality to drop significantly due to spores and unpleasant odors. These conditions can make it unpleasant to live indoors. Additionally, prolonged exposure to these conditions can have a detrimental effect on your health and can lead to the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Respiratory problems
• Fatigue
• Allergies
• Increased likelihood of lung infections

Pest Infestation

Excessive moisture creates ideal conditions for flies, mosquitoes and other insects to reproduce and thrive. Additionally, the unpleasant environments they create can attract other pets, such as ants, silverfish, cockroaches, termites and rodents.

Reduced Property Values

The restoration cost can be quite significant the longer you wait to address water damage on your property. Aside from the initial repair bill, you can also incur additional costs in the form of decreased property values. This decrease in value can be quite substantial, depending on the extent of damage incurred. In some cases, you may be looking at a 10-15% decrease in value.

Steps to Take When Water Damage Occurs

Effective water damage restoration begins with swift action to mitigate water damage and minimize the extent of repair needed. To keep the cost of repair to a minimum, East Texas restoration experts recommend taking the following steps during the initial stages of water damage:

• Prioritize your and your family’s safety above everything else. Avoid passing through stagnant water to prevent electrical shocks when electric hazards are present. You can only enter the affected area when professionals deem it safe.
• If a leak or broken pipeline causes water ingress, shut off the main water supply to prevent further flooding.
• Call for help from a reputable water damage restoration service to seek assistance. They can help you assess the extent of damage and begin the restoration process immediately.
• While waiting for help to arrive, you can take measures to remove as much standing water as possible using mops, towels or sponges.
• Use a camera to document the damage to your property. These will be useful as evidence during the insurance claims process.
• Secure all valuable belongings that may be at risk of water damage. These can include photographs, papers and other sentimental items.

Protect Your Property From Water Damage With Restoration 1

Reliable experts in water damage remediation in East Texas understand what it takes to protect your property from the threat of water damage. Restoration 1 has access to professional tools and is genuinely committed to keeping your property protected. We show up on time to immediately address water damage on your property. Get in touch with us today to schedule a free assessment.