Top 5 Water Damage Myths
We’ve come across a lot of water damage repair scenarios in years past. Our technicians have heard some pretty funny ideas about water damage repair and restoration. Here are a few of our favorites.
Water Damage Repair Myth #5. All I need is my trusty wet/dry shop vac.
Don’t get us wrong here. We love our handy shop vacs just as much as the next guy. But when you’re talking about three inches of standing water in a flooded basement, it’s time to shelf that favorite tool in favor of a much heftier commercial water extraction unit. These units extract water directly and efficiently from carpet, pad and other materials, making water damage repair a cinch. The key is to get the water out so the drying process can complete before mold spores grow.
Water Damage Repair Myth #4. This little household fan oughtta dry that carpet out.
Think again. Household fans just can’t do the job as well as commercial air movers. Air mover fans are custom designed to dry out floors, walls and ceilings. They produce vastly more air flow and, perhaps more importantly, they channel the air where it’s needed most — directly over the affected surface (not 12 inches above it).
Water Damage Repair Myth #3. I cleaned up the water damage pretty quickly. Everything should be fine.
While small water spills are generally no cause for major concern, the fact is that many medium-to-large water damage events can cause significant damage even when addressed promptly. The primary reason is that flood water damage can be very difficult to detect. Many floods cause water damage in areas that can’t be seen, such as behind drywall or under cabinets.
Water Damage Repair Myth #2. The walls are a little wet but they’ll dry out.
The reality is that damp walls rarely dry out before mold starts growing. Wet drywall must be removed or it will become a breeding ground for mildew and black mold. Furthermore, airflow is required for proper water damage repair. You need to get air moving behind the drywall for any remaining surface moisture to dry out.
Water Damage Repair Myth #1. I don’t have time to deal with this right now. I can get to it in a few days.
This is the deadliest sin of water damage repair and restoration. Time is always of the essence. Mold can start growing in 1-2 days, depending on local climate, atmospheric conditions, structural layout and the nature of the water leak. Sure, you can get to your basement water damage repair job in a few days but by then mold may already be growing and your little cleanup job just became a lot stickier.
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