When it comes to water damage repair, it’s important to stop the flow of water and begin cleanup as soon as possible. Not only will this limit the damage, but it will also help keep repair costs low. We cover how to repair water damage as well as how long it takes to dry out your home. Plus, we offer some tips to make the process a little easier.
What Are the Steps To Water Damage Repair?
Although every situation is different, there are six basic steps to water damage repairs.
1. Stop the Water
The first step in water damage repair is to stop water from entering your home. If you have a pipe burst or an overflowing sink or toilet, turn off your water at the main water shut off valve.
However, stopping the flow of water is much harder if you have groundwater flooding or a sewage backup. In this case, you can’t do much to stop the water. Move on to step to and start removing the water.
2. Remove the Water
Next, remove as much water as possible. For larger amounts of water, you should always use a pump. If you don’t have a pump, you can get at an equipment rental company.
If there is less than a few inches of water, use towels, blankets or a mop to soak it up. However, you should avoid wringing them out into a sink. Instead, wring them out outside and away from your house.
3. Remove Items
After removing the water, you need to empty out the room. Start by removing important documents, heirlooms and keepsakes. Then move on to furniture and everyday items.
You should throw away damaged items right away. Use heavy-duty garbage bags and move them outside right away. For anything you plan to keep, wipe them down with a towel first.
Then put them in a dry area. For really wet items or furniture, put them on a tarp or sheet of plastic so they don’t drip. Then dry them separately from the rest of your home.
4. Dry Out Your Home
Use high-volume fans and dehumidifiers to dry out water-damaged areas. You can get fans and dehumidifiers at most rental companies.
You should use one high-volume drying fan for every four to six square feet. Each dehumidifier can cover between twelve and twenty square feet, just remember to empty it frequently.
While regular house fans will work, they aren’t designed to dry out walls or flooring. Not only will they take much longer to dry out your home, but they may overheat and break.
5. Disinfect and Deodorize
The next step in water damage repair is to disinfect and deodorize your home. To disinfect, add one cup of bleach to a gallon of water and then use it to wipe down hard surfaces.
To disinfect fabrics, wash them with a color-safe, oxygen-based bleach. You can disinfect carpeting and mattresses by spraying them with rubbing alcohol.
Although there are many deodorizers available, baking soda is usually the most effective. It’s also usually the least expensive as well. Just sprinkle it on into carpeting or fabrics. Then allow it to sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up.
6. Repair and Rebuild
The amount of water damage repairs varies greatly. In some instances, you may only need to repaint. In other cases, you may need to completely remodel the room.
How Long Does It Take to Dry Water Damage?
It takes between 12 and 72 hours to dry water damage. However, there are several factors that impact how long it takes for water damage to dry.
The size of the area is one main factor. Larger areas will take longer to dry than smaller areas. The same goes for the amount of water involved. Drying an inch of water will take less time than drying a foot of water.
Another important factor is the equipment you use. Drying a basement with one house fan could take days or even weeks. Whereas six high-volume fans and a dehumidifier will dry the same size space will take less than a day.
Tips for Quick Drying and Safe Water Damage Repairs
- Act Quickly – Whether you are doing the work yourself or hiring a water damage repair company, you need to start as soon as possible. This limits damage and will help keep costs down.
- Wear Protective Clothing – You should always wear waterproof boots, pants, long sleeves and rubber gloves during water damage repairs. For groundwater floods or a sewage backup, you should also wear a respirator mask and eye protection.
- Work in Sections – When drying out your home, it’s best to work in sections. Start at one end of the room and work your way to the other end. Always move from the top to the bottom as well. This ensures you don’t miss an area.
- Limit Walking on Carpeting – Walking on wet carpeting will wear it down faster, so limit how much back and forth you do. Start at one end of the room and move to the other side, trying to walk as gently as possible.
- Be Careful With Electricity – Water and electricity are a dangerous combination and you should avoid wading through water that is near or above electrical outlets. If possible, shut off the power before starting repairs. If the water is already near or covering the outlets, call the electric company and have them shut off the power from the street.
We will dry out water damage in your home fast. Whether from a burst water pipe or a sewage backup, we offer safe, reliable water damage repair services. Call 1-888-443-3110 now for a free estimate on water damage service.
