How Long Does Water Damage Take to Go Away?

How Long Does Water Damage Take to Go Away?

Water leaks can cause a lot of damage and long-term issues. From damage to the furniture, floor, and carpet to health risks, there is a lot of harm that can happen. In case of water damage, it is important to take steps immediately to deal with it and prevent the problem from aggravating. The first step is to stop the water flow and then dry out the damp wet areas.

How long does it take to dry any water related damage?

The exact time taken to dry out everything completely depends on multiple factors including the extent of damage, but on average it takes about five days for the areas exposed to moisture or water to dry out. The time taken also depends on the weather, and drying out can take time in humid or rainy weather.

Areas or items that are fully saturated with water will take longer to dry, while those that are not severely affected will dry out sooner. Water damage professionals such as those who dry wet carpet, can speed up the drying process and use industrial tools to minimise water damage.

Common drying methods for Wet Carpet Brisbane

The first step to restoration is to identify the source of water and stop any more water from entering the space. Once the water flow has been stopped, it is time to begin the clean-up process. The expert will ensure that the area is safe, there are no electrical hazards, and ask you to keep kids and pets away.

The water is also assessed, if it was clean water that saturated the area, then there is no risk of health issues. However, if the water is contaminated or dirty, the area will have to be sanitized and cleaned thoroughly.

The drying methods include:

  • Air drying
  • Circulation with a fan
  • Dehumidification

In many situations, a combination of the above methods works best. This expedited the drying process and ensures that minimum long-term damage occurs.

It is important to note, that moisture or wetness is not always visible to the eyes. There can be wetness in the walls or wet carpet padding which you cannot see, but it will lead to cracking of the wall and promote the growth of mildew. In severe cases, water can seep into the foundation of the home and cause structural damage.

Finding the right professional help

Water damage is not uncommon and can be caused by a pipe burst or heavy rains or a blocked sewer drain. Some of the simple issues are easy to fix and you can fix them on your own. But anything that is beyond a mild problem needs professional intervention.

If the water that caused the damage is dirty or contaminated, then it becomes even more important to hand over the job to experts. As cleaning is just half of the work, they will sanitize the area properly and use the right disinfectants to clean up the space.

When you spot water damage the first time, it is important that you act immediately without any delay. Any time lost can make the problems worse and increase the extent of the damage.