Key Takeaways: Structural drying alone takes 3–5 days minimum — this cannot be safely rushed. Minor water damage resolves in about a week total. Moderate damage with drywall removal takes 1–2 weeks. Extensive flooding requiring full reconstruction can take 3–6 weeks. Every extra hour water sits adds drying time and mold risk. Mold becomes a serious risk after 24–48 hours.
One of the first questions Idaho Falls homeowners ask after a pipe bursts or a basement floods is: how long is this going to take? The honest answer depends on how much water there was, what materials it soaked into, and how quickly remediation started. But there's a clear framework for every water damage job — and understanding it helps you plan around it.
This is the timeline we follow at Home Pride Restoration for every water damage call in Idaho Falls and Southeast Idaho.
The 5 Stages of Water Damage Restoration
Stage 1: Emergency Water Extraction (Hours 1–4)
The clock starts the moment water enters your home. Once you call us, we dispatch a crew and begin extraction immediately upon arrival. Using truck-mounted extractors and portable pumps, we remove all standing water from floors, carpets, and crawl spaces.
This stage typically takes 1–4 hours depending on the volume of water and the size of the affected area. A flooded basement with 2 inches of standing water takes longer than a washing machine overflow limited to a laundry room.
What we're doing: Removing all visible water. Documenting affected areas with moisture readings and photos for your insurance claim.
Stage 2: Damage Assessment and Scope (Hours 2–6)
While extraction is underway, we assess the full extent of damage using moisture meters and thermal imaging. Water travels — it wicks into walls, migrates under flooring, and saturates insulation in areas you can't see. We map every affected area before setting equipment.
This documentation is also your insurance claim foundation. We photograph and record moisture levels in all affected materials so your adjuster has the evidence they need.
Stage 3: Structural Drying (Days 1–5)
This is the phase that takes the most time — and the one that cannot be rushed without consequence.
We deploy industrial air movers and commercial dehumidifiers throughout the affected space. These aren't hardware store box fans — commercial drying equipment moves 10–20x more air and removes 70–150 pints of moisture per day. We also monitor drying progress with daily moisture readings to verify materials are drying at the correct rate.
The IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration defines target moisture levels for every building material type. We dry to those standards — not to what looks dry or feels dry.
Typical drying timelines by material:
- Carpet and pad: 1–3 days (pad is usually replaced rather than dried)
- Hardwood floors: 5–14 days (may require targeted drying mats)
- Drywall: 3–5 days if wet less than 24 hours; often requires removal if soaked longer
- Concrete floors and block walls: 5–10 days
- Structural lumber (floor joists, wall framing): 5–10 days
Idaho Falls winters add a complicating factor: cold ambient air holds less moisture, which can slow dehumidification. We adjust equipment placement and settings based on interior temperature and humidity readings.
Stage 4: Demolition of Unsalvageable Materials (Days 2–7)
Not everything can be dried in place. Drywall that was submerged more than 12–24 hours, insulation, and carpet pad are typically removed and disposed of. This is called controlled demolition — we remove only what can't be saved.
This step often happens in parallel with drying, not after. Removing wet drywall exposes the wall cavity and speeds up structural drying of the framing behind it.
What gets removed: Soaked drywall below the flood line, carpet pad (almost always), saturated insulation, flooring materials that show signs of delamination or mold.
Stage 5: Reconstruction (Days 5–30+)
Once moisture readings confirm the structure is dry, reconstruction begins. This is where timelines vary most — because the scope depends entirely on what was removed.
- Minor damage: Repainting walls, replacing carpet — 2–4 days
- Moderate damage: Replacing drywall, flooring, trim — 1–2 weeks
- Extensive damage: Full room reconstruction including framing, electrical, insulation, drywall, flooring, cabinetry — 3–6 weeks
We handle the full reconstruction process so you don't need to coordinate separate contractors. From emergency response through final paint coat, it's one call.
What Makes a Water Damage Job Take Longer?
- Category 3 (sewage) water: Requires more aggressive decontamination and disposal. All porous materials in contact with sewage must be removed.
- Delayed response: Every hour water sits, it migrates further. A leak that ran overnight will affect more square footage than one caught in an hour.
- Mold present: If mold has already started, remediation must happen before reconstruction. Add 3–7 days.
- Structural damage: If water has compromised floor joists or load-bearing walls, a structural engineer may need to inspect before reconstruction.
- Insurance adjuster scheduling: Sometimes the insurance process adds time before reconstruction can be authorized. We document everything from day one to keep your claim moving.
A Realistic Total Timeline by Damage Level
- Minor (small area, caught quickly): 5–7 days total — 3–4 days drying, 2–3 days repairs
- Moderate (one room, some drywall affected): 10–14 days total — 4–5 days drying and demo, 7–10 days reconstruction
- Major (multiple rooms, flooring throughout, mold present): 3–6 weeks total
Why You Can't Rush the Drying Phase
The most common mistake homeowners make is assuming the structure is dry before it actually is. Surfaces can feel dry to the touch while the interior of a wall cavity or subfloor still holds significant moisture. According to the EPA's guide on mold and moisture, mold can begin growing within 24–48 hours given the right conditions — and a wall that feels dry on the outside can still be wet enough inside to sustain mold growth.
We use daily moisture monitoring throughout the drying phase and won't move to reconstruction until readings confirm the structure meets IICRC standard levels. This protects you from mold problems months later — which cost far more to remediate than doing the drying right the first time.
What You Should Do Right Now
If you're dealing with water damage in Idaho Falls right now:
- Shut off the water source if possible (main shutoff valve or individual fixture)
- Turn off electricity to affected areas at the breaker
- Move valuables, documents, and furniture out of wet areas
- Do NOT use a household vacuum on standing water — it's a shock hazard
- Call (208) 604-4411 — we respond 24/7
The faster extraction starts, the shorter the total restoration timeline — and the lower your final cost.
