How long does water damage drying take?
Structural drying typically takes 3 to 5 days for most residential water losses. Class 1 simple losses dry in 2-3 days; Class 3 full-saturation losses require 5-7 days. Specialty Class 4 materials like hardwood and plaster can extend the timeline to 10+ days. Per IICRC S500.
Category: Water Damage
Reviewed: 2026-04-19
Source: IICRC S500 §12
RP
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