Recreational water sports are a big part of Upstate South Carolina culture, as the nearby lakes, rivers, and reservoirs provide endless entertainment and recreation to the nearby residents.
However, one caveat of living in a subtropical climate near numerous freshwater lakes is the increased risk of flooding that can occur from tropical storms and hurricanes.
Water is an essential part of life, but it can quickly turn our lives upside down when it gets into our homes. Even leaks from pipes, broken appliances, and sewer lines can destroy floors and ceilings and cost you tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.
While dealing with water damage can be overwhelming, several options are available to help you recover from the mess and move forward, including professional water restoration services. If you find yourself dealing with significant water damage in your home, follow these step-by-step instructions to fix the damage.
1. Ensure Safety First
Before anything else, prioritize safety first. If there is standing water near electrical outlets or appliances, turn off the power at the breaker. If you’re unsure if it’s safe to do so, leave the area and contact a professional water restoration company immediately.
Next, be cautious of potential structural issues. Water-damaged ceilings or walls can collapse, especially if they have soaked for more than a few hours. However, before you begin drying or removing any standing water, you will need to identify the type of water damage and its category.
2. Assess the Type of Water Damage
Unfortunately, water is an indiscriminate material that tends to collect anything along its path to your basement or home. In many cases, especially after a flood or an appliance leak, harmful chemical materials, like detergents, sewage backup, and dirt, can pool in the water and harm your health if you’re not careful.
Generally, professionals separate standing water into three different categories:
- Category 1 (Clean Water): Uncontaminated water, typically from rainwater, pipe leaks, or showers.
- Category 2 (Grey Water): Slightly contaminated water from broken appliances, septic systems, or sump pumps. This water needs to be disinfected immediately before removal or handling.
- Category 3 (Black Water): Seawater or fresh water that has been exposed to harmful materials like stucco, paint, or concrete that is highly toxic or contaminated. This water typically requires professional removal.
Once diagnosed, you can begin taking steps to mitigate and restore the affected parts of your property.
3. Stop the Source of the Water
Once the area is deemed safe, identify and stop the source of the water intrusion. In cases like a burst pipe, shut off the main water supply to the house. If the cause is external, such as flooding from a heavy rainstorm in South Carolina, you may need to wait for conditions to improve.
If you’re dealing with water damage from a hidden leak or saturation behind a wall or ceiling, you may need to call a professional to stop the leak and make a repair to the affected pipe.
4. Document Your Water Damage for Insurance
Before any repairs or restoration work is completed, we highly recommend you stop and document the damage for your insurance company. Many hazard insurance policies do cover water damage from a burst pipe or broken appliance that is considered “sudden and accidental.”
For natural disasters, such as flooding, a flood insurance policy is often required; however, in extreme cases, you may be eligible to seek relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or your state government.
5. Dry and Mitigate the Area
Now, it’s time to mitigate the damage and stop it from spreading to other parts of your home.
Begin by removing any standing water using a sump pump or shop vac until all standing water is removed. Be sure to dispose of the water a few feet away from your home’s foundation and into a drain pipe if possible.
Next, you’ll want to dry the area using dehumidifiers and recirculating air fans. In extreme cases, a large capacity dehumidifier will be necessary to dry out large areas affected by water damage.
While much of this is technically possible on your own, we highly recommend hiring a water restoration company, especially for large volumes of standing water.
6. Inspect for Mold
Unfortunately, mitigation is only the first step of water restoration, as water damage can have compounding effects across your entire home. One of the nastiest of these is the buildup of mold, which can cling to water-stained surfaces.
Mold typically develops within 24-48 hours and can spread through the air to other parts of the home. This is why we recommend professional mold inspections and remediation to prevent mold from spreading and to contain it to a single room.
Professionals have access to tools like moisture meters that can help identify potential sources of mold and prevent it from spreading. Investing early in these services will save you a significant amount of money in the long run.
7. Begin the Water Restoration Process
Now comes the truly difficult part. Picking up the pieces after water damage can be incredibly expensive and frustrating, but there are services available to help.
Follow these steps to initiate the water restoration process and restore your home to its original condition.
- Replace porous materials, such as wooden floors and fixtures, that may have absorbed water.
- Cut out and replace any sagging or damaged ceiling parts to prevent the ceiling from collapsing.
- Clean and disinfect any drywall or plaster to remove mold and prevent damage.
- Refinish any wooden surfaces that have been stained or damaged by water.
- Replace any drywall or wooden fixtures that have been significantly waterlogged.
Why Acting Quickly Matters in Cases to Mitigate Damage
In our warm, humid climate in South Carolina, water damage can escalate rapidly. Here are some of the consequences that you could experience from waiting too long to address water damage.
- Within 24 Hours: Mold spores begin to grow and spread, especially in porous materials like drywall, carpet, and insulation. The musty odor often sets in, and air quality begins to decline.
- Within 48–72 Hours: Wood structures may start to swell, warp, or crack. Drywall can soften and crumble. Bacteria and other pathogens from contaminated water can begin to multiply, increasing health risks.
- After 1 Week: Serious structural damage becomes likely. Mold colonies can spread throughout the home, and affected materials may require complete removal. At this stage, restoration becomes far more costly and time-intensive.
The last point is critical because the longer you wait to address water restoration, the more you will pay in professional services and the more likely your insurance claim will be denied.
Can I Clean and Repair Water Damage Myself?
While it’s technically possible to repair and restore minor water damage, significant water damage almost always requires a professional team to prevent mold, salvage building parts, and protect residents from hazardous materials.
Professional water restoration teams like Palmetto State Restorations will even file and handle insurance claims on your behalf to help offset a massive portion of your out-of-pocket costs. Furthermore, our team can help monitor rebuilding efforts and supervise subcontractors to ensure all repairs are done properly and to code.
For more information on water damage restoration in Upstate South Carolina, contact the team at Palmetto State Restorations for a free quote. We always have teams on standby to answer your call.
FAQs
How can I tell if water damage is serious?
If you see staining, warping, bubbling paint, or smell a musty odor, the damage may extend beyond what’s visible. Any area soaked for more than 24–48 hours likely needs professional assessment, especially in humid climates like South Carolina’s.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover water damage repairs?
Most policies cover sudden or accidental damage (like burst pipes or appliance leaks). However, gradual issues or flood damage from rising water are usually not covered unless you have separate flood insurance. Check with your insurer or ask your restoration contractor to help file a claim.
How long does the water damage repair process take?
Drying typically takes 3 to 5 days. Full repairs — including drywall replacement, repainting, and flooring — may take 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the extent of the damage and how quickly work begins.