Suffering a water leak in your property can be a real nightmare for homeowners; from clean up, the cost of finding the leak, and the repair, a seemingly small leak can come with a host of issues and damages which are tricky to resolve. One of the most frustrating issues is when concrete floors are damaged because of a water leak; these tend to be the foundations of many rooms and spaces, and so need to be completely dried and thoroughly aired before any further repairs can be made.

Fortunately for you, our Leak Detection service does not stop there, we offer expert advice regarding drying your property – our experienced team also knows a thing or two about getting a concrete floor dried our as quickly as possible, allowing you to get on with clearing up the mess after a leak. Just one of the reasons to Choose ADI Leak Detection.

Corroded Heating Pipe LeakingThe Basics Of Drying Your Home Out After A Leak…

There are two main areas of focus when you are trying to dry up after a water leak: remove the water as quickly as possible, and ensure that the affected area is dried out thoroughly. Standing water causes damage by its very presence, and so needs to be cleared out as soon as it is safe to do so. Many homeowners make a rookie mistake: they can no longer see any water, and so they assume that the surface is safe to start drying out. They then start the repairs, risking damp, mold and mildew becoming locked in once the new surfaces are laid – this, in turn, can cause an even more expensive headache down the line.

Getting concrete floors completely dry is the key to avoiding this issue; but just how do you achieve this?

  • Remove the Water

As we mentioned, the first priority is to remove as much excess water as possible, via mopping, draining or pumping. This helps to minimise the damage, and allows the drying process to occur more quickly.

  • Allow Air To Circulate

Once you have removed all of the water, the next stage is to air out the room completely. The easiest – and cheapest – way to achieve this is to open as many windows as possible, allowing fresh air to circulate and remove moisture from the room. Adequate ventilation seriously speeds up the natural drying process, allowing you to go in with tools to speed up the process.

  • Bring in The Big Guns

Once the windows are open and the fresh air is doing its thing, you can use dehumidifiers or fans to speed up the drying process. A dehumidifier is an essential tool; as the name suggests, it removes the humidity and moisture from the air, allowing the floor beneath to dry more quickly and thoroughly and reducing the risk of damp or mould having a chance to develop. If the flood or leak was serious, always make sure that you have had the electrics cleared by a professional before plugging anything in.

  • Remove debris

In most cases, the concrete floor will be bare and ready to work with, but there may be situations where sections are covered with carpet or other flooring. If this is the situation, make sure that this is removed as quickly as possible – a covering will prevent the concrete base from drying properly or completely, and this can slow down the process, as well as risking complications down the line.

How Long Do I Need To Run A Dehumidifier For?

We mentioned above that a dehumidifier can be an excellent tool to help speed up the drying process, especially when a concrete floor is involved. It is important to note, however, that the whole process will still take time, and rushing it will lead to its own issues.

Depending on the extent and nature of the damage, it may take anything from two days to a number of weeks to completely dry out the damage done by a flood or leak. The goal is to ensure that the humidity levels in the air are kept below 50% – this is the stage at which moisture is effectively pulled from the air, and mould growth is discouraged. While it can be tempting to cut the drying routine early, as it appears that everything is dry, you need to ensure that all surfaces are completely bone dry before you proceed with any restoration, redecoration or repair of flooring. Taking the time to ensure that the job is done properly now may seem arduous, but it will help to keep your floor in good condition, offering a stable base to work from.