There’s a lot of confusion about how long it takes to cause structural damage after a flood or any water damage crisis. Many people don’t know the difference between structural damage and moisture damage. They also don’t realize that water can be absorbed by drywall or flooring, making it harder for water damage restoration professionals to determine whether the structure is structurally sound. In this article, we’ll explain which types of water cause structural failure and why it’s so important for homeowners to act quickly when their homes are affected by the water damage crisis, especially flooding.
Water Damage
Water damage can happen quickly, and it is a serious problem. Water damage can cause mold and mildew, electrical problems, and structural issues like sagging ceilings or even cracked walls. In general, the longer you wait to get your house dry after an overflowing toilet or broken pipe, the more damage you’ll have to repair later on.
How Long for Water to Cause Structural Damage?
You may be surprised when you hear that the average time for water to cause structural damage is 24 hours. But that is not the whole story.
The minimum amount of time required for a flood to do its work is 24 hours, but there are many factors that can affect how long it takes a flood to reach your home or business. For example, if you are on higher ground and have more space between yourself and the rising waters, then those same waters will take longer to reach your structure and cause damage.
A house flooded in water can take less than 24 hours to become structurally unsound.
If you think that a flood in your home will take more than 24 hours to cause structural damage, think again. Water can cause mold to grow in less than 24 hours and furniture to warp and rot within the same amount of time. A house that has been flooded with water may settle before it’s even had time for mold or other damage to set in; however, if there are any leaks around pipes or windows, this could lead to further problems later on down the line.
Immediate Water Removal is Critical
In the event of a water-damaged structure, immediate water removal is critical for two reasons. First, it minimizes the amount of damage that can occur. If you wait to remove the initial moisture from your home or office until after an inspector has been called in and an insurance claim has been filed, then you run the risk of having to pay more money out-of-pocket for repairs later down the road.
Second, by removing any excess moisture as soon as possible (and ideally before it starts causing structural damage), you prevent further deterioration from occurring within your structure—which means that if there are any leaks coming back through later on down the line due to corrosion or other factors beyond your control (like structural damage caused by mold), they will be much easier to repair because less corrosion has already occurred over time.
Types of Water Damage
- Clean water damage is usually caused by a burst pipe or a broken appliance.
- Graywater damage is usually caused by a leaky roof or a broken window.
- Blackwater damage is usually caused by flooding.
Clean Water Damage
Clean water damage is the least severe type of water damage. This type of water damage can be caused by clean rainwater or tap water, such as when a gust of wind blows a bucket full of dirty puddles onto your countertop.
Clean water damage is easily removed by simply drying out the area and using some common household supplies to clean up any remaining residue. Cleaning up this type of flood usually takes only an hour or two at most, so there’s no need for professional help if you have limited resources available to you—you can handle it on your own!
Keep windows closed as much as possible.
While keeping them closed will not prevent a lot of moisture from entering your home, it will help keep out some of the dust that can settle on the window panes. If you must leave the windows open for any reason, make sure they are covered with something like a tarp or other type of cover that will keep out any dust or debris from getting into your house. Use weather stripping around doors and windows where there are no locks or latches – this is especially important during snowstorms when winds can cause damage even when doors and windows are closed tightly.
Keep a watchful eye on pipes and fixtures.
When it’s time to prepare your home for winter and fall, you should keep a watchful eye on pipes and fixtures. You should also check that the water is not leaking from any pipes or fixtures. If there are any signs of damage or leaks, contact a professional to fix them as soon as possible.
- Keep an eye on pipes and fixtures throughout your house. Make sure they’re always clear of debris and dirt so that they don’t become clogged up with snow or ice during fall or winter storms (which could lead to freezing).
- Check for leaks by putting one hand over each pipe where it enters your home (or wherever else there might be a leak). If there is any moisture coming out from under either hand after about 30 seconds then call someone immediately.
Get your chimney checked.
The chimney is one of the first things that homeowners think of when they experience water damage. A clogged chimney can cause a lot of problems for your home and its occupants. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, you need to get it cleaned out regularly. The clogged up flue will cause more issues than if there were no problem at all before it gets worse. You should also look into having your chimney checked by professionals regularly so that you know exactly what needs to be done in order to avoid future issues with your heating system or fireplace. A professional can inspect your fireplace for any damage from water and make sure all of the flues are open. If there are any issues with the system, they can be repaired or replaced before winter comes.
Never attempt to clean up water damage on your own. Call a professional.
Water damage can occur at any time of year, but it is most common in the fall and winter seasons. You should never attempt to clean up water damage on your own. If you have a small leak or spill, it is possible to stop the damage from spreading by taking immediate action and calling for professional assistance. Do not attempt to clean up water damage yourself if you are not trained or experienced in this type of work.
If you suspect that your plumbing system has been flooded by a leaky faucet or broken pipe, contact our professional company of water damage recovery in Olathe: Emergency Mitigation Services. We offer 24/7 emergency mitigation services designed specifically for residential water damage in Olathe and are available to help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible. Our team will arrive at your location as soon as possible with specialized equipment and supplies that allow us to immediately begin cleaning up the affected area without delay.