Water damage is one of the most common types of damage that can occur in your home. Whether it’s from a leaky roof, flooding, or a bursted pipe – water damage can be costly and time-consuming to repair. The answer depends on a number of factors, including the type of water (clean or contaminated), the amount of water, the temperature and humidity of the environment, and the type of materials affected. In general, though, you can expect water damage to take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to fully dry. Read on to learn more about how long it takes for different types of water damage to dry.
It depends on the amount of water that has seeped into the home
When it comes to water damage, the amount of time required for proper drying largely depends on the extent of moisture seeping into your home. While a flooded basement may require heavy-duty equipment and up to 14 days of drying time to return your home back to its safe, dry state – a minor issue such as a small leak in the wall or ceiling panel might only take one day or so. It’s important to address water damage right away before it becomes a bigger problem and make sure your house has returned to its normal humidity levels. If not cared for promptly, you can be left with long-term structural damage that is significantly more expensive and difficult to fix.
Small Amount of Water Damage
If you’re dealing with a small instance of water damage, the drying process can be managed quickly and efficiently. Depending on the severity of the damage, it can usually take anywhere from a few days to weeks for complete drying. If your area is exposed to direct sunlight or the ventilation is good, this can significantly speed up the process. It is important to act quickly when a small amount of water damage occurs, as it has the potential to worsen and spread into more serious territory if left unattended. Special equipment like dehumidifiers may also be necessary for thorough drying, depending on many factors such as ambient humidity and temperature levels.
Large Amount of Water Damage
Water damage can be a serious issue that requires immediate attention. If you’re dealing with a large quantity of water, expediting the drying process should be a top priority as it could take several weeks for your space to thoroughly dry. During this time, mold and mildew can start to form, which can cause long-term issues that are much harder—and more expensive—to fix. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help increase the speed of the drying process, such as dehumidifiers, fans and professional intervention. Taking these measures can help streamline the timeline significantly, so no matter how big or small your water damage is, it’s always important to act quickly.
Type of Materials
The speed in which water damage can dry depends on various factors, among them the material that has been wetted. Porous materials such as paper, cardboard and clothing can often become saturated quickly and remain damp for long periods of time due to their capacity to hold water, while non-porous materials such as hardwood, tile or plastic may absorb much less water but take longer to evaporate. As a result, non-porous items tend to dry faster than those made of porous materials; however, other conditions such as airflow and heat also play significant roles in determining how long it takes for water damage to dry.
Professional companies that can help with water damage restoration
Water damage can be an extremely daunting task to take on if you are not familiar with the process. Not only can dry times vary significantly depending upon the area, but there can be a wide range of hidden damage that may not be visible to the eye. To help avoid any costly and extensive repairs, it can pay off to hire a professional water damage restoration company. These companies often provide an array of services such as water extraction, drying, cleaning and repair work. In addition to preventing potential further damage, these professionals also have access to specialized tools and methods to quickly and effectively complete the job in far less time than would normally be required. By taking advantage of these organizations’ expertise, you can save time, money and effort while returning your home or business back to its original condition in no time.
Water damage can be a major pain, both literally and figuratively. If you’re dealing with water damage, the first thing you’ll want to know is how long it will take for everything to dry out. There are also professional companies that specialize in water damage restoration if you need help getting rid of all the moisture. Emergency Flood Response has water damage technicians and wet basement specialists ready to restore your property.