Water Damage Restoration is the Second most Common Claim in the US

How Hidden Water Damage Wrecks Your Home — And How to Catch It Early

🔍 Key Points

• Water damage is the second most common insurance claim in the U.S.
• Moisture-damaged subfloors often go unnoticed until repairs become costly.
• Mold can begin growing in as little as 24–48 hours.
• Moisture meters are essential for detecting hidden damage.
• Early intervention can prevent mold growth and structural deterioration.

📚 Important Definitions

• Subfloor: The layer beneath your flooring that supports your home’s structure—typically made from plywood or OSB (oriented strand board).
• Moisture Meter: A tool used by professionals to detect moisture inside walls, floors, and subfloors without having to open them up.
• Delamination: The peeling apart of layered materials, like plywood, due to prolonged exposure to moisture.
• Restorative Drying: The professional process of using air movers, dehumidifiers, and heat to remove moisture from materials.

💥 It Happens More Than You Think

Water damage isn’t rare—it’s actually the second most common insurance claim in the U.S., just behind wind and hail damage. From burst pipes and appliance leaks to roof issues and floods, water intrusion can sneak in and wreak havoc before you even realize there’s a problem.

By the time you see a stain or feel a squishy floorboard, the damage may already be extensive—and mold may already be growing underneath.

🔦 A Closer Look at the Problem

The image above shows a subfloor completely wrecked by moisture that went unnoticed. This type of damage happens in homes more often than you’d think, especially in high-humidity areas like kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. Once water soaks into the subfloor, the layers begin to delaminate, compromising the structural integrity of the floor itself.

Worse yet, this kind of damage can’t be seen from the surface—you have to measure it.

💡 Why You Need More Than a Visual Inspection

At Cactus Wren Restoration, we don’t guess—we test. Using specialized moisture meters, we can detect hidden moisture in subfloors, drywall, cabinets, and insulation. This allows us to:

• Locate the full extent of the damage
• Determine the water category (clean, gray, or black water)
• Create an effective drying and restoration plan
• Early testing means better outcomes and lower repair costs.

⏱️ The 48-Hour Rule: Why Time is Everything

According to the ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard, mold can begin to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours after water exposure. That means your best shot at preventing microbial growth is to act immediately after a leak, flood, or spill.

Miss that window, and your water issue turns into a mold remediation project—which is longer, more expensive, and potentially hazardous to your health.

🧰 What We Do (and Why It Works)

Here’s how our team at Cactus Wren Restoration tackles hidden water damage:

• ✅ Moisture detection with industry-grade meters
• ✅ Categorization of the water source (to determine safety protocols)
• ✅ Professional drying using air movers, dehumidifiers, and heat systems
• ✅ Mold prevention or removal if growth is found
• ✅ Full restoration, including subfloor repair or reconstruction

💬 FAQs

Q: I don’t see any water. Could there still be damage?
A: Absolutely. Water can seep into subfloors and behind walls. If you smell a musty odor or notice changes in your floor, it’s time to test.

Q: Do I need to tear up my floors to find out if there’s water underneath?
A: Not usually. We use non-invasive moisture meters that can read through flooring materials.

Q: Is this kind of damage covered by insurance?
A: Most sudden and accidental water damage events are covered by homeowners insurance. We’ll even help you navigate the claims process.

🏁 The Bottom Line
Water damage isn’t just common—it’s expensive, especially when it goes unnoticed. The subfloor in the photo is a perfect example of what happens when hidden moisture is left unchecked.

At Cactus Wren Restoration, we’re experts at finding, fixing, and restoring water-damaged areas before they become disasters.

📞 Call us at (602) 600-5899 or email info@cwrestoration.com to schedule your inspection.
📍 Serving Gilbert and the Greater Phoenix Area