Whenever we first come into someone’s flooded home, the first thing they ask is how long will it take to get their home back to normal. It’s not an easy question to answer. There are multiple factors that influence how long it will take us to dry out your walls and furnishings following a water damage event.
One of the things that affects it is what materials in your home got wet. Remember that water is absorbed by anything it touches. Drywall acts like a sponge, wicking water all the way through the material. You can be sure that both sides of the drywall will be wet. Opening walls by cutting away a piece of drywall allows the interior to dry more quickly than keeping it closed. Even so, it could take weeks to dry on its own. By then, you’ll definitely have a mold problem on your hands. Carpet can take longer to dry than other flooring materials for obvious reasons, including the multiple layers including the sponge-like padding.
You also should consider the extent of the water damage. The amount of water that has leaked or flooded your home will also factor into how long it takes to dry out. The difference between drying out a few inches of water as compared to 4 feet or more in the home is the difference between a few hours to dry out to several days.
If a pipe burst in your home, it’s typically localized to the area near the pipe, and that will take less time than other kinds of water damage. If you are the victim of a flood caused by a natural disaster like a hurricane during which floodwaters fill your home for days, it will obviously take much longer to dry than if your home experienced a single ruptured pipe in a basement that you promptly fixed. In the flood scenario, the walls, floors and furnishings absorb much more water. Therefore, it will take much longer to dry. The other consideration with floodwaters from outside the home is the fact that they contain contaminants and dirt that are harmful to your health, and promote faster mold growth. These make it harder and longer in terms of dry out time and effort.
Walls covered in wallpaper also take longer to dry than walls painted with a few coats of latex paint. Wallpaper acts to seal in moisture, which makes the drying process take longer.
The drying mechanism we use will also impact overall drying time. We use industrial dehumidifiers, high-powered fans and highly effective water extractors to speed the process along.
Many times, you won’t be able to tell how much water has infiltrated your home’s interior with the naked eye. We use a thermal imaging moisture meter to help determine the extent of the water damage. Moisture can lurk behind drywall and fixtures, making it impossible to tell how bad the problem really is. A moisture meter will provide an accurate reading and let us know if you have a bigger issue on your hands. Anything above 1% moisture is too high and requires action.
Give Spectrum Cleaning & Restoration a call at 239-910-6381 to find out more.
