Immediate Water Damage Cleanup

The water might have been relatively clean like from a kitchen faucet. Or it might have been a suspect like flood water entering the back door. Or perhaps you know it is filthy, like an overflowing toilet or a backed up sump pump. No matter the cause, it is imperative that you take the risk seriously and get a water damage cleanup team out immediately. Not only are the wet belongings at risk, but so are the building materials. The longer you wait to remove every trace of water, the more damage your entire household will suffer. 

Water Damage Cleanup in Charlottesville

Water Damage Over Time

Drywall, wood floors, carpeting, insulation, basement and crawlspace walls are all susceptible to extensive water damage. If  the damaged areas and material are not thoroughly removed and dried out, the chance for moisture to remain increases dramatically. Mold and bacteria begin to grow immediately once the water has been removed. This means odors and discolorations can begin to appear in as little as 24 hours.

Any debris in the water will add to the amount of damage: toilet waste, household cleaners, pesticides, etc. But even clean water can cause damage very quickly. Within just a single hour up to a day after your home has been exposed to water, it will begin to cause damage. Drywall begins to bulge and break, furniture begins to swell and crack, and metal surfaces begin to tarnish.

Between a couple of hours and the end of the first week, the damage will compound. Your home will experience growth and spread of mold and mildew. The doors, windows, and wood flooring may swell and warp, and metal may begin to rust and corrode. Depending on the factors, there is a possibility of serious biohazard contamination.

If water damage persists for more than a week, mildew and mold growth, structural damage and biohazard contaminants may pose serious risks to you and your family. The delay in restoration time may also increase the cost to repair water damage significantly.

How Long Will Restoration Take?

The amount of time that you delay could also affect the repair time. It is hard to say how long your job will take but in general, a single room usually requires a few weeks. Plan on 72 hours for drying out, and another 1-2 weeks to actually repair the damage.

The larger the space, the longer the process will take. If your whole home has been affected, the restoration process could take multiple months, perhaps requiring you to find temporary housing. Water damage quickly progresses to microbial growth in just a few days, which can compromise the health of the inhabitants, including your pets. Therefore, you must begin to clean up a water damage mess as soon as you can to prevent further damage to your home. 

Getting Professional Help

Most flooding and water damage situations require immediate response by professionals. Once you have stopped the leak, it’s time to start removing water. If you try to do it yourself and miss something or wait too long to call, it will take significantly longer to repair and restore your home. The water damage cleanup experts at Restoration 1 of Charlottesville will quickly identify the source, make all repairs and restore all materials. The experienced water damage cleanup team knows steps that the average homeowner may not know to take, that can reduce the overall costs of restoration.

Water disasters can cause a major amount of damage in very little time. Thankfully, you can stop the damage from spreading by contacting our water damage restoration professionals immediately. Water damage is often accompanied by mold if it’s not taken care of right away. Our expert water damage cleanup technicians know what to look for and how to tackle any mold or mildew problems that are caused by a water disaster – with Restoration 1 of Charlottesville, there is no need to contact another water damage cleanup company, we do it all!