Homeowners in Florida are aware of the risk of water damage to their homes. With the risk of severe weather and the humid climate in Florida, the water damage can be severe. Ensuring adequate insurance policies are purchased is vital. Water damage can be from extreme weather conditions or sudden accidents in the home. Water damage restoration must begin as soon as possible to limit the extent of damage and reduce the risk of secondary damage like mold growth. Suncoast Contractors Emergency Services Inc. are trained professionals who handle fire, water and flood damage in South Florida. In this article, Suncoast Contracting describes why the drying process in water damage restoration takes long and its importance.
Water damage restoration is the process of removing water from the property and restoring it to its normal condition. It is a process that does a complete clean-up of water, including water removal, drying all items and structures affected, moving restored items back, and restoring the home to its pre damage condition or better. The steps of the water damage process are:
1) Inspection and Assessment of the damage
2) Water removal
3) Drying and dehumidification
4) Cleaning and disinfection
5) Restoration and Repair
First, the source of water that is causing damage is identified. If possible the water must be stopped at its source. Water must then be removed from the house. The affected area and items exposed to water are to be dried. Retained moisture can cause damage to the structural integrity of the house and mold growth. The extent of water damage and how long the drying process takes are affected by several factors. After flooding in a home so many things need drying. The building structure, flooring, carpet, rugs, furniture, furnishing, and documents need to be dried if deemed salvageable. Exposure to moisture may contaminate some things like provisions, which are discarded.
Water removal, drying, cleaning, and disinfection have to be carried out very thoroughly to prevent mold growth. Unless the water damage is very minimal, it is always better to have professionals handle water damage restoration. Suncoast Contractors Emergency Services Inc. has a team of trained, certified, and dedicated professionals that can handle the needed repair work efficiently.
Drying takes a large amount of the time of the water damage restoration process. This can be between 12 hours to a few weeks. The time taken would depend on how much area is affected, the extent of damage, the category of water causing damage, and the methods used for drying. Everything done post-flooding is time sensitive as it impacts the risk of further damage and the cost that will be incurred.
Methods of Drying
- Dehumidification
After water removal, the moisture in the air and surrounding areas is removed. This is done using dehumidifiers. This method of drying is faster, safer, and more effective. This process is done until the moisture levels reach a safe level.
- Forced Air Drying or Fans
The drying process is aided by air circulation. Fans help to circulate air. If mold is present this method may be avoided. This is because forced air can spread mold and spores all over the house.
- Air Drying
This is the simplest method of drying. It just uses natural methods to facilitate air circulation. It can be opening a window or exposing an area or materials to sunlight. But this takes a long time and complete drying may not always be possible. This method is unsuitable in places where it’s humid or rainy. Air drying can be used in dry, sunny climates for a small area or minimally damp materials.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), it is ideal for homes to be cleaned and dried in 24 to 48 hours. This will help prevent mold growth and also reduce the impact of moisture on the building’s structure. However, drying and cleanup can take weeks in reality. This is why hiring professionals for water damage restoration is better. After flood damage, repair or replacement work might be necessary. Suncoast Contractors have been providing residential and commercial contracting and damage restoration services in South Florida for 75 years. They are licensed, insured, and trained professionals who work with dedication. Any projects that may require water removal, carpentry, flooring work, drywall, and plastering repair or replacement, roofing repair or replacement, etc. Suncoast Contracting can be contacted for such work after water damage on (561) 316-3989 24/7.
