24/7 Emergency Service
SERVPRO responds swiftly to water damage at every milestone
8/12/2021 (Permalink)
Blog summary: The SERVPRO team shares the water damage timeline and how it impacts a property at various stages. The blog also discusses how SERVPRO is the right choice for quick and professional restoration of water damage.
SERVPRO responds on time
The extent of water damage is directly proportional to the amount of time it takes to mitigate and restore the damage. Delayed water damage restoration can escalate a situation from mild to severe within hours and days. SERVPRO shares the water damage timeline and why a 24x7 response service is the best way to minimize damage and save costs.
The water damage timeline
Within Minutes
- Water quickly spreads throughout the property, saturating everything in its path.
- Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
- Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
- Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.
The SERVPRO team can swiftly arrive on-site, assess the damage, and begin the water mitigation process. With the help of powerful pumps and vacuum units, the team can quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from the property. This in turn helps prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.
Hours 1 - 24
- Drywall begins to swell and break down.
- Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
- Furniture begins to swell and crack.
- Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
- A musty odor appears, indicating the presence of mold.
With its state-of-the-art technology and 50 years of experience, SERVPRO methodically identifies the issues and documents the water damage restoration process from the beginning till the end. The technicians utilize room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry the property.
48 Hours to 1 Week
- Mold and mildew may grow and spread, forming colonies.
- Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
- Metal begins to rust and corrode.
- Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
- Paint begins to blister.
- Wood flooring swells and warps.
- Serious biohazard contamination is possible.
The SERVPRO team provides the service of move-out to homeowners in case of massive restoration work. The threat of shaky structures and the uncontrolled spread of mold colonies often mandate that the owners move out to a safer accommodation while the professionals take care of the damage.
More Than 1 Week
- Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
- Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.
Once water damage has been occurring for over a week, the risks it poses to the homeowner’s health are compounded. The SERVPRO team carefully assesses the plan of action which includes restoration of important contents, removal of mold, biohazard decontamination, deodorization, and minor as well as major building services.
This water damage timeline showcases the importance of addressing even a minor water damage situation immediately. Left unchecked, small water damage issues can escalate into larger and more dangerous concerns that eventually cost much more time and money. Moreover, it is very important for homeowners to contact a water damage restoration company such as SERVPRO, which has the resources and the experience, to respond swiftly.
Why SERVPRO?
Faster to Any Size Emergency
No matter where and how big the disaster is, SERVPRO can reach across 1,700 US and Canadian franchise locations and help its customers swiftly. The vast network of resources available to SERVPRO enables it to act immediately and efficiently. The water damage timeline above showcases the various stages of damage and the extent of restoration work it needs. A 24X7 emergency response gives SERVPRO the ability to arrest any disaster quickly and save huge amounts of money, time, and energy.