Within minutes water can cause the spreading of contamination which can lead to typhoid, Legionnaire’s Disease, fecal strep, salmonella, gastrointestinal diseases and systemic fungal infections. Moisture sensitive materials can sometimes swell and disfigure. Within hours cross contamination (contact) of wet clothing can cause transfer of dye clothing. Think of happens when new, unwashed jeans are wet and them make contact with another fabric surface: an unwanted blue are that is permanently stained! Furniture finishes can discolor and wooden legs and framework start to swell. Within days, doors, drawers and drywall swell, buckle and delaminate. Particle board subflooring can warp, buckle and delaminate. Furniture legs continue to swell and lead to cracking of the wood. Wallpaper can peel and ceilings warp. Mold and mildew can start to grow within 48 hours of the original damage especially in wall interiors that have insulation that acts like a sponge. (Absorbed water can travel several feet up the insulation!) A common related growth is grayish/green penicillin mold. Areas left unattended for nine days or longer can produce greenish/black aspergilus mold which is even more virulent and a greater health hazard. Dyes in oriental rugs can run, permanently discoloring the rug. Within weeks mold and mildew can digest plaster, drywall, paneling, adhesives, ceiling tiles, and organic insulation. Electronic equipment can become unsalvageable. Hardwood floors may buckle, plywood delaminate and particle board dissolve. Tackless strip which is used to secure stretch-in carpet, the most common type of residential insulation, can become weak, soggy and rotten while the tacks in the strips become corroded. Alkaline in concrete subflooring can wick up due to water exposure, attack the overlying tile and linoleum including their adhesives and loosen them up.