How much damage can 1 inch of water do to a home?

As floods increase, so do the costs of repairing your home and replacing the things inside it. This summer, when heavy rains cause flash floods, make sure you're covered and invest in a flood insurance policy. Whether it's a leaking pipe or a flooded basement, identifying the source and preventing more water from escaping is the top priority. In fact, water damage can ruin your home faster than you think.

Within the first 24 hours of a leak or flood, mold, damage to floors, walls and electricity, and even structural problems can occur. That's why it's always best to quickly hire a water cleaning professional near you to consult and repair. Once you determine that it is safe to re-enter the house, the sooner the cleaning and restoration of water damage is carried out, the better. Water damage and freezing as a category are the second most common type of home insurance claim (after wind and hail).

To minimize the spread of mold and the risk of serious structural damage, contact a water damage restoration professional within 24 to 48 hours. However, if water damage occurs near the switch box, appliances, or electrical outlets, call an experienced professional to ensure safety. Restoring water damage involves a lot of work, such as drying and replacing floors, drywall, and insulation. Damage caused by untreated water can also ruin electrical systems, corrode pipes, destroy ceilings and walls, and cause mold growth.

If you don't address water damage right away, it can cause mold growth and other problems in your home. As for mold, it begins to grow within 24 hours after moisture is introduced into the air, even with minimal water damage. If the professional finds any damage to your roof, make sure it's repaired right away to protect it against water damage inside. For minor water damage, dry your home from home, but professionals are needed for cases of more serious damage.

If you've only had a small leak under the sink, for example, it's fairly easy to remove all the objects affected by water damage to assess if they can be saved. In severe cases, water damage can compromise the structural integrity of your home or foundation, so it's best to address them head-on. Gutters protect your home from water damage by removing rainwater from the roof and away from the foundation of the house. They will assess the level of water damage and evaluate the amount of work needed to make your home safely habitable again.

Hardwood floors, for example, are damaged if any amount of accumulated water is allowed to sit for about a day, causing the boards to bend and other repair problems.