7 Tips for Home Water Damage Repair
Water damage can be a massive headache for homeowners. It can impact everything from the appearance of your home to its structural integrity, and is often difficult and expensive to address.
Adding to this, water damage can come from a variety of sources. Flooding, sewer issues and leaking pipes can all lead to damages. Thankfully, there are ways that you can repair water damage.
In this article we’ll help you learn how to carry out water damage repairs, identify when it’s time to call a professional and explore the factors that dictate the impact of water damage:
Factors that Affect the Intensity of Water Damage
Not all water damage is equal. There are a variety of factors that make water damage more or less intense. Here are a few of the most notable factors:
Duration of exposure: If you catch the cause early, then it’s less likely to result in long-lasting damage to your home. For instance, if you notice that a pipe is dripping within a few hours of it starting, you likely won’t have any serious water damage.
Volume of water: More water = more damage. A dripping pipe would take months to cause the same amount of damage as a severe flood.
Location: Some places in your home are more resistant to water damage by design. For example, if a leak occurs in your shower, it will take a lot longer to cause damage. Conversely, if a leak occurs in an exterior wall pipe, it could soak the insulation and drywall before you even notice a problem.
Water pressure: Similar to the volume of water concern, water that is moving at a high rate of flow can penetrate more deeply into non-watertight surfaces.
Water Damage Repair Tips
While water damage may seem difficult to fix at first, there are a few ways that you can mitigate the overall impact of the damage. Here are a few steps that you can take to repair water damage and avoid future effects from the initial incident.
1. Disconnect outlets.
As soon as you notice water damage, you should disconnect the outlets near the affected area. If the flood is throughout the house, all electrical power will need to be disconnected, and we recommend calling a professional.
To disconnect an outlet, remove the screws on the face plate of the outlet using the appropriate screwdriver type. Once removed, take the screwdriver or another small tool and pull the plugs and wires toward you. NOTE: Whatever tool you use should NOT be entirely metal, and you should NOT touch the metal portion of the tool. The wires may be compromised or opened, posing a risk of electrocution. Once the outlet is hanging from the wall, you should be able to disconnect it by undoing the wire clips by hand. If there are no wire clips, you may need to snip the outlet cords using wire cutters.
While this measure may seem extreme, it’s often difficult to see the full extent of water damage with a single glance. In small water damage situations, it may only be necessary to disconnect the outlets in the affected room, or in the immediate area if it is clear that the damage is not widespread. There may be risk of electrocution if you fail to disconnect outlets and other electrical devices.
2. Inspect for mold.
Make sure to look throughout your home for mold. Water damage can cause rapid mold growth, especially if it is contaminated greywater or blackwater. Make sure that you wear a mask when interacting with any mold areas as many molds are toxic. If mold is found, shut off any air circulation in your home as mold spores can be spread throughout the house by ventilation systems. If you notice a significant mold infestation, we recommend calling a professional immediately.
3. Dry off all surfaces and damp areas.
Once you’ve disconnected the outlets and determined that the area is currently free of molds, you should set to work drying all affected areas. Depending on the spread and severity of the water damage, this could be as simple as using a few towels to sop up water from a pipe leak, or intensive enough to require professional intervention.
4. Remove damaged items.
Any items that cannot get wet that were soaked by the source of the water damage should be removed from the house. In particular, you’ll want to remove affected furniture (especially if the furniture is upholstered), insulation and carpet. Porous surfaces are more likely to be negatively impacted by water damage and can be key areas for mold growth. Removing these items before mold sets in is critical.
5. Disinfect your home.
Before you complete the repair, you need to make sure to disinfect the impacted area. Even when the water damage is caused by fresh water, that water can stir up contaminants in the affected area, which can lead to mold growth and other harmful side effects.
6. Remove and replace the affected area.
Now, you should keep in mind that DIY water damage repair is only recommended when the affected area is relatively small. That said, once you have disinfected the area and confirmed that no dangerous or significant mold growth is present, you should remove the affected area. Using a cabinet as an example, you would saw out the soaked portion of the cabinet and buy particle board to replace the removed portion. Use a similar technique to replace affected drywall and plaster wall areas.
7. Call a handyman.
Water damage repair can be tough. Even when the damages seem relatively minor, it can be difficult to know whether it’s something you should fix on your own. If you’re ever in doubt, we recommend calling a handyman. Handymen can perform a variety of home repair tasks and have the knowledge it takes to do the job right.
Water Damage Repair FAQs
Can water damage be fixed on its own?
Sadly, water damage will not go away on its own. Unless the damage is extremely minor, like a dripping pipe that produced about a drinking cup’s worth of water, you need to address water damage, and address it quickly.
How do you dry out water damaged walls?
To dry out a water damaged wall, it’s recommended that you use a dehumidifier near the wall. You can also open windows and run fans to increase air flow. However, you should avoid opening windows if you live in a notably humid location. If these techniques fail to fully dry the wall, you may have to remove and replace the damaged wall section.
Tackle Water Damage Issues with Help from a Home Warranty
If you’re dealing with water damages, a home warranty may be able to provide you the help you need. Unlike most others, our home warranty plan comes with access to affordable handyman services. These handymen can help you with basic home repairs like water damage, and provide you with peace of mind and a job done right.
Interested in learning more? Get a free quote today to see how our home warranty can help make home ownership easier.