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Important Steps To Take After Water Damage

How long does it take for Water Damage to show? | How long does it take to dry out Water Damage? | Why is Mold growing in my property? | Water damage brings about a destructive force resulting in various secondary problems impacting your property. Therefore, if your property incurs water damage, having immediate repairs done is crucial. The extent of water damage can be misleading when viewed on the surface, as water potentially seeps through the deeper parts of your property.

Shut Off The Water & Call Your Insurance Company

Your homeowners’ insurance will vary depending on what policies you have. The insurance company will send an adjuster to look at and assess the damage and determine if the damage covered.

How long does it take for Water Damage to show?

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes: Water quickly spreads throughout your 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.

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.

48 Hours to 1 Week: Mold and mildew may grow and spread. 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.

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.

How long does it take to dry out Water Damage?

Throughout our 39+ years of service, we have learned a lot about the appropriate way to dry out and dehumidify any property type.

Our four-step Drying & Dehumidification process includes:

1. Inspect and assess: Using state-of-the-art instruments, our certified technicians will inspect your home for water damage, identify the source, and outline the work required.

2. Remove water: We use various methods to extract water, including absorbing, draining, pumping, and vacuuming.

3. Dehumidification: We use professional dehumidifiers for water-damaged homes to extract moisture from the air and expedite the drying process. Using equipment such as air movers, we help the water to evaporate faster.

4. Monitoring: Our technicians take atmospheric and moisture content readings that indicate whether the area is drying, at what rate, and what adjustments, if any, need to be made to expedite the drying process and avoid excessive uncontrolled humidity levels.

Why is Mold growing in my property?

Mold Information | Investigating Hidden Mold. You may suspect hidden mold if abuilding smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents report health problems. Mold may be hidden in places such as the backside of drywall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other possible locations of hidden mold include areas inside walls around pipes (with leaking or condensing pipes), the surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms),inside ductwork, and in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation).

A Guide to Advanced Structural Drying & Water Mitigation

According to a recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 85% of commercial buildings experience excess moisture and water leaks. Precision Environmental can moisture map your facility to identify water hazards and repair any type of water damage, whether man-made or caused by disaster. By performing thorough water extraction, Precision Environmental helps to prevent mold growth and secondary water damage. We work with your insurance company to understand your policy and what is covered, limiting any surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Precision Environmental can moisture map your property to identify water hazards and repair water damage, whether artificial or caused by a disaster. We provide the water damage restoration and cleanup services you need.

Will My Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Homeowners insurance provides coverage for damage that is sudden and accidental (such as a rupturing water heater or a pipe burst). With flood damage, regardless of the source of the water, it may not be covered by standard homeowners policies. Be mindful that the water damage resulting from lack of maintenance is not covered on a standard homeowners insurance policy. Flooding can occur from storms, sewer backup, and overflowing bodies of water such as rivers,  ponds, lakes, etc.

Is Water Damage an Emergency?

Water damage is one of the most common and most serious emergencies your property can ever experience. Whether you’re facing a storm, flood, weakened roof, HVAC leak, busted pipes, overflowing appliances or sewage backup, a water problem is distressing and threatening to your property’s safety and value.

How Quickly Can Mold Grow from Water Damage?

If not addressed immediately, mold and mildew begin growing within 24-48 hours after water damage.

Will Mold Die if it's Dries Out?

Unfortunately, no.  Unless mold has been completely removed mold spores can remain dormant or inactive but can still be a threat to your home.  

Does Water Damage Happen Immediately?

Water damage happens quickly, usually within 24 hours. If you notice any signs of water damage, it normally isn’t something you can fix on your own.

How long can furniture sit in water before being ruined?

Furniture should be dried out immediately after getting wet. If you leave it in the water for too long, it could start rotting. However, whether you can save wet furniture depends on the amount of water and the type of furniture. Water will cause composite furniture to fall apart much faster than hardwoods. The faster you can dry the air, the most likely you can salvage your furniture after a flood or water event.

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