Areas in your home affected by water damage and moisture could take several days to dry out. Some factors may affect this estimate, including the severity of the damage and the air’s humidity. Light water damage could dry rapidly in places with low humidity. More severe water damage in high-humidity locations, however, can take much longer to dry.
From small roof leaks to a major pipe burst, water can inflict heavy damage to your home and your possessions. It can even create an unsafe environment in the home before and after the water has dried.
Water damage is fixable, though. With some care and effort, you can dry water that has entered your home. If the damage is too great, you can count on ServiceMaster of Lincoln Park. We’re an experienced water damage restoration company, and we’re ready to help you at any hour of the day.
How to Dry Out a Home After Water Damage
While it’s possible to dry out your home after it has experienced water damage, it’s crucial to do it correctly to avoid other issues. Here’s a step-by-step guide to dry out your home after water damage:
- Use caution: Water in your home can be dangerous. Turn off all sources of power in water-damaged rooms to avoid electrocution. You should call a professional if the water looks gray or black, as these can be signs of dangerous contaminants. Make sure to wear eye, nose and mouth protection at all times.
- Stop the source of water: Determine where the water is coming from and put a stop to it. Cover openings in your roof, windows or walls that are letting water in. If a water pipe has burst, turn off your main water line to stop the flow of water into your home.
- Remove standing water: If there is any standing water in your home, then you’ll have to remove it before you can continue. If the water is clear, then you should be safe to give it a try. Remember to leave black or gray water to the professionals.
- Circulate the air: Open windows and doors if the air outside is dry to allow air to circulate in the affected area. This can help speed up the drying time while also providing ventilation for inside air.
- Remove wet items: Set soaked items outside to dry. You may have to throw away the most damaged items, as they can be a moisture risk to the rest of your home. Items like furniture, carpeting and insulation are all prone to water damage.
- Take action against mold: When your home suffers water damage, it is at an increased risk of mold growth. Wipe down the area with a non-ammonia detergent followed by a thorough cleaning with a 10% bleach and water mixture to resist water damage mold.
What Equipment Is Used to Remove Floodwater?
When you have flooding in your home, you need to remove the water to avoid further damage. However, filling buckets with water won’t get the job done, especially if the water is only a few inches deep. Additionally, walls, carpets, furniture and other items can remain wet, even after any standing water is gone. You’ll need the right equipment to remove the standing water, and any remaining moisture, from your home.
Here are some of the best options when you need to remove floodwater:
- Wet vacuum: You can buy or rent a wet vacuum with the right accessories from your local hardware/rental shop. Wet vacuums are great for sucking up small amounts of water.
- Fans: Set up fans around the affected room to help circulate air and dry up the water.
- Professional gear: For serious floods, you may need professional help. The pros have heavy-duty gear that sucks up large amounts of water and sends it outside for effective water removal.
How Long Should I Run a Dehumidifier After a Flood?
Dehumidifiers remove water from the air, keeping the room at a safe moisture level. It stores the drawn moisture in an attached compartment or sends it away through a discharge hose. This is crucial after flooding. Lingering moisture in the home can breed mold, affecting everyone’s health. Running a dehumidifier after water damage can keep your home healthy and safe.
If you’ve experienced water damage in your home, you may be wondering how long you should run your dehumidifier afterward. Is it ever safe to stop running a dehumidifier after a flood? Your home is at its highest risk of growing mold during the weeks following water damage. You should run your dehumidifier for at least two weeks after the damage occurred. Make sure all porous surfaces have dried, such as drop ceiling tiles, before turning off the dehumidifier. Make sure the humidity level is below 40%.
How Quickly Can Mold Grow From Water Damage?
If water has made its way into your home, then there is no time to delay removing it. Mold can begin growing in your home as soon as 24 to 48 hours after water damage occurs. And if you don’t take steps to fix the issue, the mold can multiply by the day. As long as there is moisture in the home, mold has a chance of growing and reproducing at a rapid rate. This is an issue that you should not take lightly.
Even if you follow the steps above to remove water from your home, you should keep a watch out for signs of mold. You may see it growing on walls and baseboards, appearing like areas of speckled or blotchy dirt. Mold can also grow behind walls and under floors. If you smell a musty, unpleasant odor in the days or weeks following water damage, you could have a mold problem. You may want to call a mold remediation specialist to make your home safe again.
Call ServiceMaster of Lincoln Park for Expert Water Damage Restoration Services in Chicago
Water damage won’t wait until it’s convenient for you. It can strike your home at any time in the form of a natural disaster or plumbing malfunction. That’s why ServiceMaster of Lincoln Park is ready to serve you 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. We offer water damage restoration services that can help you return to normal life after an unexpected water incident.
Trust our friendly and professional team to fix your home after water damage. We promise to do the job right or do it over. That’s our guarantee to you. Contact us today for more information and check out more specifics on our services in your area.
