The amount of time it takes for water damage to become visible depends on the amount of water present. In the case of a large leak, signs may start to appear in as little as three weeks. On the other hand, a smaller leak may not show any signs until five weeks have passed. In some cases, water damage can be seen almost immediately.
For instance, drywall can bulge and break in just one hour, metal surfaces may start to tarnish, and furniture may swell and crack after a day of exposure. If you don't take action to repair water damage within a week, the costs and effort involved in restoration work will increase significantly. Mold growth will also accelerate, and the risks associated with structural damage will be greater. It's important to act quickly because mold can start to develop in as little as 24 hours, even from small amounts of water. Water damage can also cause safety risks and structural problems that you might not notice until it's too late. If the water is clean, such as from a water heater or washing machine, standing water in affected areas is less of a concern.
Regardless of the source of the leak - whether it's a slab leak, broken pipe, or something else - water damage should not be taken lightly. If you wait too long to repair it, your insurance company may not cover it and the cost of restoring your home could be high. To prepare for a flood, it's important to know where the water is coming from and how much is entering your home. Jenkins Restorations specializes in rebuilding and repairing properties damaged by wind, water, fire, storms, vandalism or theft. Electrical appliances are particularly vulnerable to water damage and can malfunction almost immediately.
Gutters are also important for preventing water damage by diverting rainwater away from your home's foundation. If you have hardwood floors, they can be damaged quickly by moisture so it's important to start the restoration process as soon as possible. Sometimes you can see the damage right away, but other times it takes hours or even days for it to become visible. If the leak is on the roof, water could pass through the roofs and damage insulation and wooden beams. It's also important to consider events that could cause an increase in water usage such as children returning from college or guests on vacation.
When the water level rises above the bottom of the sump well, the sump pump is activated and pumps out the excess water. If possible, restoring water damage should begin 24 to 48 hours after you have been allowed back into your home. If you've only found a small leak under the sink, for example, it's fairly easy to remove all objects affected by water damage to assess if they can be saved. Homeowners insurance typically covers sudden and accidental damage (such as a broken pipe or water heater).
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