HOW TO DRY OUT YOUR HOUSE IN THREE STEPS

You recently got water damage from a broken water pipe or a flood, but you don’t know what to do next. Flooding in your home, no matter how big or small, can be overwhelming. The moisture needs to be removed as quickly as possible to prevent mold growth and further damage to the flooring, drywall, cabinets and more. Here are the tips for how to dry out your house as quickly as possible. 

1. PUMP ANY REMAINING WATER OUT

If you have any standing water, you should remove it right away. You can use a portable sump pump or a wet and dry shop vacuum depending on the water amount. A sump pump can go underwater and push out the water through a hose or pipe. Sump pumps are best when you have several inches of standing water. If there are only shallow puddles of water, you can use your shop vac. Wet vacs can get water out from carpets and rugs as well. 

2. START DRYING THE AREA

Even after removing all the standing water, there’s still moisture present in the furniture, walls, floor, or whatever else got flooded. Move wet furniture outside or into the garage. Remove any drywall or flooring that has swelled or warped beyond repair, and get to work drying out the rest. Here are a few different methods of drying out the remaining moisture. 

• Air drying is an easy way to start drying materials that have gotten wet. If possible, open all the doors and windows to increase air circulation to the affected area. The downside to air drying is that it can take more time. It won’t work well if the air outside is humid. Air drying is useful for small areas that aren’t too heavily saturated with water.
• Fans are a good way to increase air circulation and dry time. However, keep in mind that using fans could spread mold growth to different areas. It is important to have your home inspected for mold if you have water damage. 
• Dehumidifiers are a fast way to get rid of moisture in the air or materials in the affected space. They work much better than air drying or fans because they pull water out of the air instead of just evaporating it. You’ll need to empty your dehumidifiers every so often so they can continue to eliminate moisture. 

Again, if you suspect that you have mold growth, call a professional before you try to dry the area

3. CALL A PROFESSIONAL

Water damage isn’t always easy to fix. It can take expertise to know what can be dried out and salvaged. Badgerland Restoration can help you dry out your house and restore it to its original condition as quickly as possible. We’ll assess the water damage to find the best approach and walk through how to dry out your house. We use anti-microbial treatments to prevent and stop the growth of mold and other hazardous microorganisms. After drying your home, you will receive a certificate that it was dried safely and professionally.

Water damage is typically covered under homeowners’ insurance, but this doesn’t include water damage from natural disasters like flooding. For that, you’ll need flood insurance – otherwise, you may have to pay out of pocket. We work with many insurance companies and save you the headache of contacting them. 

Give us a call to start fixing your water damage today!