How do you dry out water damaged walls?

1/31/2020 (Permalink)

How do you dry out water damaged walls?

Water damage can happen at unexpected times for unexpected reasons: a hurricane or storm, a leak you only just found out, an appliance that broke down while you were away.

In most cases, at least one of your walls will get soaked and you’ll need to dry it out. But how do you dry a wall that has been water damaged?

There are two ways in which you can do this: the DIY way and the professional way. To dry the wall yourself, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Turn off or remove the water source immediately.
2. Remove the elements that may cause a moisture buildup: wallpaper, portraits, and other hangings
3. Remove molding, and baseboards.
4. If your wall or ceiling has insulation, remove it and dry it. Depending on how wet it is, you may have to discard it altogether.
5. Open windows and doors to get plenty of natural ventilation.
6. Help the process by blowing fans over the wet area – just be careful when you plug it in!
7. Reinstall baseboards, moldings, insulation, wallpaper or whatever element you had to remove to dry the wall.

Keep in mind that this process should be done immediately, as drying takes its time and waiting can cause further problems, like mold. Also keep in mind that although walls may look dry, they can be wet inside. Only a professional can detect this and restore it before the damage grows.

When should you call a restoration company?

• You don’t have time to immediately dry the wall.
• The damage is too extensive and you can’t handle it yourself.
• There is mold or you suspect there may be.
• You think the water damage has led to structural damage.
• The area develops a strange odor.
• You’re not confident in your DIY abilities or don’t want to be bothered with reinstalling wall elements after drying.

If you decide to hire a restoration company, the first thing you should do is call as soon as possible. The more time you let pass, the more damage there will be and the costlier it will be to fix. SERVPRO^® of Martin County has an emergency line 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you can call in the middle of the night or any time you want.

Once SERVPRO of Martin County arrives to your home or office, we will:

1. Inspect and assess the water damage. Equipment like moisture meters and infrared cameras will be used to determine the extent of the damage and to detect hidden damage that the untrained eye can’t see.
2. If the water source hasn’t been turned off, technicians will turn it off. If it’s a pool of water caused by flooding, we will remove it using powerful pumps and vacuums.
3. Dry and dehumidify the wall with specialized equipment. Professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.
4. Clean, deodorize, and sanitize all restorable items. If there is mold, it will be removed at this stage.
5. Restore the property to its pre-water damage condition. This may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new insulation, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

If you want your walls to receive this thorough treatment, call SERVPRO of Martin County! We’re faster to any size disaster.

Phone: (772) 334-8762