Water may enter porous materials in minutes and destroy compounds over time. If you wait too long to address water damage in your Brisbane home, the problem will only worsen and require more work. Knowing how rapidly it spreads will help you respond. The timeline below explains how critical it is to start water damage repair as soon as possible.
Brisbane Water Damage Restoration
Water damage that happens within the first few minutes: Damage starts when water reaches unwelcome areas. Those materials will absorb water as soon as they are exposed to them, implying that porous materials will quickly approach saturation. Upholstery, carpet, wood, and rugs are all porous materials that absorb the water immediately.
Finishes on furniture or colourful textile goods can begin to bleed immediately, spreading colours and ruining adjacent objects. Paper products, such as books, photographs, papers, and artworks, can be removed from the water before they are ruined by moisture.
Material decay due to water exposure: Within just a few hours, most materials will have reached their saturation point, hastening their decomposition and deterioration due to water. Drywall and sheetrock are materials that expand with water absorption and crumble apart within hours. When wood is exposed to water, it begins to swell, wrap, and change colour, whereas metal things begin to tarnish, rust, and corrosion.
Any additional damage that happens within 48 hours of the first water damage: Water damage isn’t the only issue that has to be addressed at this stage; mould begins to form within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Because mould spreads and travels by minute airborne particles known as spores, not only is the damaged portion of the home at risk, but the entire house is now vulnerable to mould problems. Water’s added weight causes materials to swell and eventually fracture, bend, warp, break, and even decay. Wood flooring, baseboards, and trim may need to be replaced, and damage to drywall and insulation may be irreparable.
Persistent water damage for at least a week: Water damage is now labelled ‘black water’ and is extremely contaminated. Contact with water that has been present for this long should be avoided at all costs, as it may result in major health issues. There will be a serious problem with the proliferation of microorganisms, and your house will be in danger of collapsing. Most items exposed to water must be removed and replaced, and water damage cleaning will be time-consuming and labour-intensive.
Electrical Surge
Again, with all of the necessary cleanup processes on your mind following a water damage tragedy, it’s easy to overlook the risk of electrical damage. Minor floods are usually not a big deal because there isn’t enough water to damage your electrical systems. You must act quickly if the water level increases and turn off the electricity to prevent more harm.
Unforeseen Damage
Visible water damage may be the least of concern. There could be more going on below the surface and a lot more serious. If you respond quickly, you’ll know what to expect. Waiting too long will cause more damage.
Concerns Regarding Insurance
Anyone does not look forward to filing an insurance claim. When you present your claim, there is a high chance that some (at least minor) issue or unexpected delay will occur. You can lessen this by filing your claim as soon as possible. In addition, you should take the time to thoroughly learn your policy so that you are less likely to face surprises later on.
The good news is that Reztor Restoration can handle the entire cleanup process regardless of how long your water damage has been present. While it is crucial to call for water damage cleanup as soon as possible, it is also imperative to remember that we are here to help regardless of how big or small your water damage situation is, whether it is a new problem or something that has been lurking unnoticed for extended periods of time.
Overall, numerous issues can arise following the initial water damage event. While you can’t always prevent this, you can take steps ahead of time to be prepared and reduce the likelihood of these issues occurring. If you ever find yourself during a water damage disaster, contact Reztor Restoration in Brisbane for assistance.
