Walls and floors often sustain water damage in areas that experience high humidity or moisture. In case parts of your home have fallen prey to water damage, it’s important to know how to dry out the wet wall and when to call the professionals, in order to prevent mold growth.

Here’s Why Water Damage Happens

Before we begin to understand how to properly dry a wall after it incurs water damage, it’s important to understand how and why water damage occurs. When water enters a room, it will first soil the floors and carpeting.

Then, it will start to ‘wick’ up the wall due to the capillary action in certain porous materials. Most walls are created from gypsum and a cardboard-like material. This is why it is likely for water damage to seep through both sides of the wall.

It is also necessary to note that water damage may not be visible at times.

How To Dry Your Wall Following Water Damage

The first step when trying to dry a water damaged wall is to find the source of water intrusion and turn it off. Usually, this source is a burst pipe. Next, open the windows and doors to help speed up the drying process. Use fans and dehumidifiers to remove moisture from and around the walls.

Removing the baseboards and molding will prevent the growth of mold and will keep harmful microorganisms from breeding. This will also prevent water droplets from seeping through and behind them. Another good idea is to remove any portraits, paintings, and wallpapers.

Once you’ve stripped the walls of any sealing materials, let it dry out. Drying wet walls takes time, so don’t try to rush the process. Once they are dry, you can refinish your room.

When To Call In The Professionals

If you’ve tried your best and the walls seem to not be getting better, or if you’ve spotted the growth of mold, it may be time to call in the experts to help you get rid of the contamination.

If you live in Portland, ME, please feel free to reach out to our team. We specialize in mold remediation and water damage restoration, among more services. For any questions or queries, don’t hesitate to contact us here.