How Long Does Water Damage Restoration Take?

The Quick Answer

Most homeowners want to know when life gets back to normal. Here are typical timelines.

Typical Timeline

• Extraction: a few hours
• Drying: about 3 to 5 days
• Repairs: days to weeks, depending on materials

What Makes It Longer

• Category 3 water
• Concrete slabs and hardwood
• Delayed response
• Large areas or multiple floors

Speeding It Up

Call quickly and keep drying equipment running. See structural drying.

A Typical Day-by-Day Timeline

• Day 1: inspection, moisture mapping, water extraction, removal of materials that cannot be saved, equipment setup
• Days 2 to 4: daily moisture readings, equipment adjustments, continued drying
• Days 3 to 5: materials reach dry standard; equipment removed
• After drying: repairs such as drywall, paint, baseboards and flooring

Clean-water losses caught quickly often finish drying on the shorter end. Jobs with sewage, flood water, hardwood or concrete slabs take longer. Learn about the repair stage on our water damage repair page.