How long does water damage take to dry?

The short answer

One industry guide lists structural drying as taking from 3 days to several weeks, and says it often takes three days or more (SERVPRO drying guide). How long it takes for your home depends on the factors below.

What affects drying time

• How deep the water went. Water that reaches walls, subfloors and framing takes longer.
• The material. The more porous the material, the longer it takes to dry.
• How much water entered and what it soaked into.
• Equipment and airflow. Professional drying equipment shortens the job.
• Humidity. Athens is humid for much of the year, so damp materials can stay wet unless the air is dehumidified.

What equipment is used

• Air movers, to push air across wet surfaces
• Dehumidifiers, to pull moisture out of the air
• Moisture meters, to measure wetness and confirm when materials are dry
• Thermal cameras and moisture mapping, to find water behind walls or under floors

Why the first 24 to 48 hours matter

The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Materials that stay wet longer have a higher risk of mold and may need to be removed. See the EPA guide.

What you can do while you wait

• Remove wet rugs, bedding and soaked items you can carry out safely.
• Run a dehumidifier, and open windows when the air outside is drier than inside.
• Keep furniture legs off wet floors, and do not use electronics while wet.
• Do not seal up the room before it is dry.

How you know it is dry

A professional measures moisture in the materials and compares the readings with normal levels. Ask for those readings, usually taken over several visits, before equipment is removed and before anything is closed up or rebuilt.

Sources: SERVPRO and the EPA.