It happens when we least expect it.  Our home is subjected to an infiltration of water from several different sources.  Whether it is from a leak in our home or a flood, water will cause damage to our property.  Just how much damage occurs will depend on which stage of water damage your home has incurred. 



There are five different stages in which we can characterize water damage.  Each stage is so defined based on the amount of damage that occurs from the water.  This article will briefly define each stage. 

 Stage one refers to the stage where gravity plays a role on the flow of water.  This means that if you have a leak somewhere (let us say from a broken pipe in the basement) that gravity will cause the water to level out.  This means that if there are any cracks or opening in the floor, walls or even in the pipes in your home, that water will go into those areas as well.  So if your flood is on the second floor laundry room, more than likely there will be water damage in the room below the laundry room as well as next to the laundry room depending upon the amount of water you have to deal with.  The good news about this type of water damage is that if it is cleaned up relatively quickly, then the costs of the damage as well as the cost for cleanup and repair are minimal.

The second stage of water damage deals with what is called wicking of moisture.  Wicking of moisture means that the moisture from the water damage starts to get absorbed into materials that are in direct contact with the water.  The wicking does most of its damage on walls, wood floors and paper as well as some furniture.  For example, press board will be completely damaged so if the water damage occurs in a kitchen where the cabinets are particle board then most likely the water will become absorbed into the cabinets and these will definitely have to be replaced.  The only way to prevent wicking from occurring is to get to the water fast and prevent it from getting to the materials that will absorb it quickly.  Once the water is removed completely, give the materials that have been damaged a chance to dry out.  If caught fast enough, sometimes just allowing things to dry will save some of your things. 

 The third stage is damage due to high humidity.  Humidity occurs when moisture begins to evaporate and causes the surrounding air to become saturated with moisture.  This means that anything in the higher ground that did not get damaged from the initial flood can now become affected by the increased air saturation.  You will be able to see high humidity by noticing condensation on walls and ceilings.  You might also find paper products that feel damp to the touch.  The best course of action is to implement the use of a high capacity dehumidifier to decrease the humidity in the area affected as quick as possible.  If you can, remove anything that might be able to dry out in another area of the home.  Again, the quicker you take action, the less damage that will occur. 

 The next stage is the fourth stage.  This is the stage where materials that have been affected by the water damage begin to form microbial growth on them.  You will see mold and mildew start to grow on wall boards or anywhere where the water is still saturated such as on cloth furniture.  The best way to curb this type of water damage is not only to get the area cleaned up quickly, but also to make sure that there is good air circulation in the area and that there is a constant temperature as well as getting the humidity under control.  If you already have mold and mildew starting, then you will definitely have to do some major damage control, but by making sure to do these few things, you can confine the major part of the damage to a smaller area. 

 The final stage of water damage is when all of the microbials spread.  If this does occur, then your best recourse is to call in the professionals.  Usually in this stage, it means that the mold, mildew and various other contaminants will affect the entire building through the circulation system.  This stage usually does not occur if water damage is taken care of before stage four.  This is the phase where complete restoration of the house or business will have to be considered.

Overall, the best way to reduce problems with water damage is to get to the damage as quickly as possible and take care of everything that you can before the damage moves into the next phase.  The quicker it can be taken care of, the less damage that will occur.  If you are not sure how to take care of the problem, or if the problem has moved into the higher stages of water damage, then contacting a professional to take care of the problem will be your only recourse.