If the walls are particularly damp, it can take weeks or even months before they are completely dry. Once dry, be sure to take the necessary steps to prevent this problem from recurring. The first step is to identify the source of the problem and then correct it. This could be rising humidity or a leaking pipe.
Accelerate drying by opening windows and doors. Use fans to move air around damp walls. Dehumidifiers can help remove moisture from the air, which also indirectly removes it from walls. Once wet, porous drywall quickly becomes a breeding ground for mold growth.
The process can take as little as 24 hours, but you may not see the damage for a week or more. The best option you have at your disposal for drying the wall is natural ventilation. This requires minimal intervention on your part. However, that doesn't mean the problem will go away on its own.
The source of the saturation also plays a key role in addressing wall drying. You can count on Zaba's ServiceMaster Restoration for the best restoration of water damage in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Rely on your visual inspection to determine the general location of the water damage, but assess the magnitude of the problem with a moisture meter (or ask a professional catering company like ServiceMaster by Zaba to inspect for water damage). It may seem like you've completely dried the wall yourself, but to the untrained eye, the signs of water damage may be imperceptible.
Sometimes, water damage is obvious, but most of the time it's hidden, and those who aren't trained in restoring water damage can overlook it. A water damage contractor is responsible for the recovery, including drying procedures, disassembly of the material, and complete restoration. While many cases of water damage are easily observable, this particular type is difficult for an inexperienced eye to detect. If the damage caused by water has reached a significant level, these sections of the wall will need to be removed. After an event that causes water damage to your home, not only the floors, but also the walls, will be affected.
While water damage is sometimes visible, at other times, the wall shows no signs of this moisture. Before learning how to dry a wall after water damage, let's see how water saturates plaster walls. If you recently experienced serious water damage in your home, it's likely that the walls are still damp because of the incident. As the founder of ServiceMaster by Zaba in Chicago, Illinois, Diana is certified by the IICRC in repairing fire and water damage.
