How fast does water damage get worse?

Question

Accepted Answer

Water damage escalates rapidly. Within the first hour, water soaks into carpet and drywall. By 24 hours, mold spores activate and furniture begins to stain. At 48 hours, mold starts growing visibly, and drywall warps. After 72 hours, mold colonies spread and structural damage accelerates. By one week, severe structural damage is likely and restoration costs can be 5-10x higher than immediate response. Acting within the first few hours is critical to minimize damage and cost.

Water Damage Timeline

When did the water damage start?