How Long Does it Take to Fix Water Damage?

water damaged wall

How bad is water damage?

Water damage repairs – words that no homeowner wants to hear. It seems like home upkeep is constant! If it isn’t the roof or the windows, then it is the foundation. For this to be the biggest and most important investment you’ll ever make, it is also the one that requires the most attention, money, time, and work.

It is important to know How to spot water damage as a homeowner, as you keep an ever present vigil attention on every part of your home. Then you next obligation is to do any water damage repair needed, or have it done by a professional, which is what it requires when the water leak is coming from the foundation. 

Water damage effects can be felt immediately, and it can come back to haunt you later, days, weeks, even months later. Those effects can be visible, and they can be hidden, which makes water damage more dangerous because you don’t know there is water damage repair needed, until it is too late. The damage that can result from lack of water damage repair: 

Mold Issues

One of the major things from lack of water damage repair is mold growth, and that takes place within days and weeks of the water breaks. The adverse effects are on your family’s health and wellness with irritating allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and other breathing issues. Mold requires water to survive, so if the water damage repairs are not made, the mold will keep thriving. 

The smell if mold will linger almost indefinitely, lowering the air quality of your home.  If you can smell it, it is damaging the structure of your home too.  The sooner water damage repairs are completed, and the mold removed, the better. 

Appliances and Furniture 

One of the components of your home that water damage will harm the most are the appliances and furniture. The wooden bed frames and wooden furniture, computers, televisions, and other possessions and valuables can be damaged within a few minutes. When wooden furniture is damage by water, it weakens the structures and allows mildew and mold to form and grow. 

Your electrical appliances that are water damage, repairs may not be possible, meaning you’ll need to replace those items. Electronics are typically totaled when they have become wet, exceedingly rare are these things salvageable. 

House Structure 

Like wooden furniture, water damage to the house can affect the structure of your home too. It weakens any wooden frame and the flooring. The longer water damage repair is delayed, the more damage it is causing the structure and the more mildew and mold will grow. 

How long does it take to repair water damage?

The first thing to water damage repair is allowing the damaged items and parts to completely dry, typically this takes up to 72 hours. A larger area can take longer to completely dry, so patience is of the essence. For the quality of any water damage repairs to be proven, allow things to completely dry before attempting repairs. 

Is drywall ruined if it gets wet?

It can depend on the amount and time the drywall was exposed to water. While it is a fairly sturdy material, the longer drywall is wet, the softer and weaker it becomes. After a length of time being wet, the structural integrity becomes compromised and may have to be replaced. If it hasn’t got that wet for exceedingly long period of time and allowing it to thoroughly dry out before making any water damage repair will be sufficient. 

How do you fix water damaged walls?

Water damage repair isn’t as complicated and daunting as you may think when you follow these easy steps:

  1. Clean: The water damaged area needs to be thoroughly cleaned before starting water damage repair. 
  2. Clear any buckled, cracked, or flaked area on the wall. 
  3. Apply a seal binder over the water damaged area. 
  4. Apply any filler needed to create a smooth surface then sand.
  5. Brush the sanding residue off and allow the area to dry.
  6. Apply a water-based primer and sealer and allow to dry.
  7. Paint the wall and decorate! 
dehumidifier in water damaged room

How much does it cost to fix water damage?

There are always going to be factors that can determine the cost of any home repair and water damage repair is no different. According to expert contractors, homeowners will pay on the average for Water damage repair and remediation between $2,500 and up to $5,000 or more.  Factors that determine the cost is the region of the country you’re in, the amount of water damage, and what caused the damage, like busted plumbing that will need repairing.

It is important to know what to do when you need water damage repair and know how to fix water damage yourself of hire a professional contractor immediately.  Contacting a contractor for inspection and estimates along with your insurance company should be the first thing you should do, and the rest will fall into place. Need water damage repair in Santa Clarita, CA? Call 661-201-6016 today!