After you experience a water leak in your home, it’s normal for questions to go racing through your mind. Can water damage fix itself? How long can water damage last? Should I fix minor water damage?
It’s easy to hope that if you just dry up the water, the rest will be fine. But, underestimating the problems can lead to more dangerous and costly ones
Understanding how quickly water can damage a home, how it can worsen over time, and if water damage can fix itself will help you know what to do when you experience a leak. Here’s more information about how long water damage can last to help you take the right actions:
How Long Does It Take for Water Damage to Go Away?
Immediately after a water leak, it is important to dry things up as quickly as you can. Cleaning up the obvious water damage can take a while, especially if you can’t stop the leak right away. Even once the water stops flowing in, there will still be more to do than just remove it.
The answer to, “Can water damage fix itself?” is no, unfortunately. If you don’t take action in the moment to minimize the damage, it can last longer and get worse.
How long it takes to dry out your home really depends on how quickly you can get rid of all traces of moisture. It also depends on what surfaces the water impacted. Carpets and couches can absorb moisture faster, but hardwood floors can hide damage better in the initial moments.
Different materials will need different care to make sure they dry out completely. If you leave your home without properly drying all the surfaces and objects that the water touched, you can risk creating a breeding ground for mold and mildew. This can cause health problems as well as damage to your home’s structure.
How Long Can Water Damage Last? The Hidden Headaches
After dealing with any standing water and obvious problems, there are likely still issues below the surface. How long it takes for water damage to go away depends on how well you remove the water from all its hiding places. Cleaning up visible water isn’t enough to stop moisture from damaging your home.
Water can seep through walls or floorboards in a matter of minutes. If left alone, it can cause extensive damage. Trapped moisture can lead to serious issues like weakened foundations, mold growth, electrical problems and more.
It’s important to properly assess the damage done and act quickly to prevent further destruction from occurring. This will shorten the amount of time it takes to address and repair the water damage.
Can Water Damage Fix Itself? The Answer and Why It’s Important
As tempting as it is to wonder if water damage can fix itself, waiting to face the facts can cost you time you should have spent addressing the issues. While some problems can be fixed in a couple hours or days, others can last years if you turn a blind eye to them. It is best to have a professional assess the extent of the damage before making any assumptions.
What Should I Do Immediately After Water Damage?
The most important thing to remember immediately after water damage occurs is that how quickly you act will make all the difference. The first step should be to stop the leak from continuing. Then, contact a professional as soon as possible. They can assess the damage and make sure you can properly dry out any wet surfaces before further destruction can occur.
Depending on the source of the leak, you may need to call a few people. This can include a plumber, an electrician, and a water restoration company. They can help stop the leak, address any of the immediate dangers to you or your home, and start minimizing the long-term impact of the damage.
Don’t Make This Mistake After Water Damage Happens
While you’re waiting for them to arrive, remove as much of the water as possible. Some people call the professionals, then make the mistake of not doing anything else. As long as it is safe for you to start cleaning up the water, you need to if you want to minimize the damage! Since water damage cannot fix itself, it’s important for you to work quickly.
Get air flowing through the room, but do not add additional electronics to the space if water is still coming into it. If it is a small, contained leak, you can use a dehumidifier, box fans, and towels to start cleaning up the water.
If, for any reason, you are concerned the water is contaminated or if there are any electrical components in standing water, do not do anything on your own. Handling dirty water can lead to major illnesses and being in water with electrical currents can be fatal
Should I Fix Minor Water Damage?
If you’ve discovered minor water damage in your home, it can be tempting to leave it alone and hope that it will eventually go away on its own. But, even the smallest water leak can cause serious problems if left unaddressed. If you notice any signs of water damage, it’s important to take the necessary steps to make sure your home is safe and dry.
You should fix minor water damage because it will not fix itself. Rather than wonder how long it takes for water damage to go away, it’s best to roll up your sleeves and get to work on dealing with the problems at hand. Then, call a professional water damage restoration company to ensure there aren’t hidden issues that could haunt you.
Water Damage Restoration Experts, Proudly Serving Alamance County Since 1989
We know that when water leaks into your home, the questions start flying through your mind. Rather than wonder, “Can water damage fix itself?”, just call us. We can walk you through what to expect, give you fair and honest quotes up front, and take care of all the insurance headaches for you. It’s as close as you can get to water damage fixing itself!
We have over thirty years of experience helping our neighbors in the Triad region of North Carolina restore their homes after water damage. Hear their testimonies, then contact us through our website so we can help your home stay safe.
