How to dry out wet walls quickly after a flood

2. Remove water and moisture

Use a sump pump, wet/dry vacuum, or mop to remove as much standing water as possible. Opening windows and doors will improve ventilation and allow fresh air to circulate, helping remove moisture from the building.

3. Remove wet materials

To properly remove wet drywall and insulation, make sure to cut and dispose of the materials at least 12 inches above the waterline. Then, take off all baseboards and trims to allow the wall cavity to air out.

4. Use drying equipment

Dehumidifiers, fans and air movers are excellent for helping to dry out the building and reduce moisture levels in the air, helping dry out your walls after a flood. Point fans towards the walls to speed up drying and place dehumidifiers in the affected rooms to reduce moisture levels. For larger areas, use commercial air movers to blow air across the walls and floors.

As well as being able to efficiently dry large areas, professional building drying equipment will also get the job done a lot faster. A win-win for your home or business. The quicker you can dry your property, the lower the chance of long-term damage caused by excessive damp and moisture. Taking swift action also appeases most insurance companies who will stipulate in their policy that pay-outs will only be made if professional help is sought.

5. Check for mould

After the walls are dry, inspect for any signs of mould growth. Use a mould remediation product if necessary (read our domestic mould removal advice page here, disclaimer available here). However, we would encourage you to use professionals for this. Mould can cause serious long-term health issues and exacerbate existing health problems, such as asthma and allergies. Asthma and Lung UK explain more on how damp and mould can trigger asthma.

6. Monitor moisture levels

After a flood, it can be difficult to know whether your building is completely dry or not. Water can be soaked into many unseen places, causing long-term structural damage such as rot, or health issues by providing the perfect environment for mould growth.

If you’ve sought help from a professional building drying company, they’ll always make sure your building is left dry by using additional equipment to monitor moisture levels. Moisture diagnosis and damp analysis helps to determine whether excess moisture is still lingering in the property which would indicate water is still being held within the structure or contents.

7. Repair and restore

Once dry, replace any removed insulation and drywall. Apply mould-resistant primer and paint before reinstalling baseboards and trims. Learn more about our restoration service for once you have dried out your walls here. We’d encourage you to use professionals for this.

CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration can help with drying out wet walls

At CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration, we can help with drying out wet walls. For over 20 years, the dedicated team at CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration have been serving domestic and commercial communities across the South East from our bases in Sussex and Kent. Partnering with a variety of sectors, we have experience in many different types of restoration, including domestic and commercial, education and health, construction and property management.

View our full list of accreditations and memberships here.

To find out more about how we can help dry out your property in London and the South East, call us on freephone 0800 0304360 today!