How Long Does It Take for Water Damage to Show?
Water damage has the potential to cause a lot of problems in your home. It can ruin the walls and the ceilings, warp different parts of the home and so much more. The problem is that it sometimes takes a bit to see the water damage and to get it to show up again. Many homeowners wonder how long it takes for water damage to show.
The amount of time it takes for water damage to show depends on how much water is present. For a large water leak, the signs can start showing as early as three weeks. For a smaller water leak, the signs may not start showing until closer to five weeks. Homeowners need to be on the lookout for these water leaks early on to avoid a lot of problems.
Let’s take a closer look at the harms of water damage and learn more about how long it can take for this water damage to show.
How Long Does It Take for Water Damage to Show?
The amount of time that it takes for water damage to show will depend on how much water is present and how many areas that the water is able to get to. If there are no cracks or other issues around the foundation of the home or in the roof and water is moved away from the home, then it is not going to cause problems. But when water damage does show up, it can take a few weeks before you are able to see it.
The signs of water damage will sometimes take as little as three weeks to appear, as long as the volume of the water that gets through is large enough. If the volume of water is smaller, then it can take up to five weeks before the homeowner would be able to see some of the signs of the water damage.
What Happens When the Water Is in the Walls?
Now that we know how long it takes for water damage to show up in a home, you may wonder what happens when water is in the walls. When there is excess water and moisture present in the walls, it is more likely to get absorbed into the material around it. This can include the wood, drywall, wallpaper, and insulation. This will end up leading to stains, bubbling, and warping.
When there is a hidden water leak going on in the walls, it makes the perfect environment for mold to start growing and spreading. This happens often in the ceilings and the walls because it is harder to detect. By the time the homeowner knows that there is a problem, the mold problem will be really big.
How Fast Can Mold Grow After a Water Leak
Often the mold will be able to start growing before the homeowner even knows that there is a leak. That is why you need to pay attention to the home and look for signs of water damage as soon as possible. It is possible for mold to start growing about 48 hours after water damage begins to happen.
What Causes Water Damage to Walls?
There are a lot of different things that could cause this water damage to the walls. Any water that is able to get into the home and into the walls will make a difference and can cause this kind of damage.
Often it can be a leaky pipe or a roof that could allow for a slow leak to cause the walls and the ceilings to stay wet for a longer period of time. A broken supply line will be able to flood the structure in just a few minutes, but it is often the smaller leaks that are going to cause the leaks to happen.
Keep in mind that any source of water will be able to cause some damage to the building materials inside of your home. Whether it is a big leak or a small one, this is enough to get water into the ceiling or the walls in order to cause some damage. Being aware of the damage will make a big difference and will help you to prevent some of the damage too.
Keeping Your Home Safe from Water Damage
It is important as a homeowner to look for some of the different signs of water damage in your home so that you can get them fixed ahead of time. When you take the time to look for areas that will allow the water to get in to ensure that you can prevent the damage in the first place. With some precautions ahead of time, you will be able to avoid the water damage to make sure that your home stays safe all the time.
