Crucial Time Element in Water-Damage Mitigation & Restoration

When water damage occurs from storms, floods, or as a result of a fire, it’s important to take mitigation action right away. The longer the time lapse is between initial water damage and mitigation, the more serious the damage can become and the more costly it will be to repair.

WITHIN MINUTES

• Water contamination spreads to additional areas, rapidly increasing your claim cost.
• Stains released from furniture (especially antiques) stain carpet permanently.
• Moisture-sensitive furniture finish turns white.
• Paper goods are ruined due to moisture absorption with swelling and warping.
• Latent animal urine odor becomes apparent.
  

WITHIN HOURS

• Furniture in direct contact with water delaminates or swells, and legs begin to split.
• Swelling wood can cause finish to crack.
• Sheetrock (drywall, gypsum board) swells and begins to disintegrate.
• Bacteria’s sour odor and sewage contaminants begin to go airborne and migrate into air returns.
• Dyes from non-colorfast fabrics start to migrate.
• Metal surfaces start to tarnish.

WITHIN DAYS

• Fungi (mold with its musty odor) appear. Replacement may now be necessary instead of restoration.
• Persons with asthma, the infirmed, elderly, and young children may develop reactions to the mold.
• Severe warping of wood furnishings becomes apparent. Adhesives release, causing furniture to delaminate.
• Hygroscopic internal components in pianos and organs swell from moisture absorption.
• Metal surfaces rust, pit and corrode causing permanent damage.
• Paint blisters, plaster dissolves, wall covering adhesives begin to release.
• Wood (doors, window casings, decking, joists, studs) begin to swell, warp, split and delaminate.

WITHIN WEEKS

• Adults may become sensitized to allergens arising from uncontrolled micro-organism growth.
• Prolonged dampness causes mold to sink roots into and destroy coverings on sheetrock, paneling, wood, and contents.
• Wood components warp and split, while chemicals within wood dissolve, discolor and/or destroy finishes.
• Claim costs and renovation time escalate dramatically as the requirement for gutting the structure and replacing components becomes necessary.
• Occupants may have to be evacuated due to biological health hazards.