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How to Dry Out a House After Water Damage

Water damage can strike without warning — from a burst pipe, leaky roof, broken appliance, or heavy rainstorm. No matter the cause, it’s critical to act fast. The longer water sits, the greater the risk of mold, structural damage, and expensive repairs.

So, what should you do? And how do you properly dry out a house after water damage?

At Estate Solutions, LLC, we’ve helped countless homeowners and property managers across the Atlanta Metro Area recover from water damage. In this article, we walk you through the professional drying process step-by-step and explain why expert help is often the safest route.

The Water Damage Dry Out Process

Step 1: Stop the Source of the Water

Before drying can begin, the source of the water must be identified and stopped. If it’s an active leak — such as a burst pipe or overflowing appliance — turn off your home’s water supply and contact a plumber if needed.

If the cause is storm-related or from outside the home, ensure that the area is safe and free of electrical hazards before entering. Never attempt to dry out a space while water is still flowing in.

Step 2: Call a Water Damage Restoration Company

Your next move should be to call a certified water damage restoration company like Estate Solutions, LLC. We are IICRC-certified and state-licensed for both mitigation and reconstruction, which means we can take your project from initial cleanup to full rebuild.

Prompt professional action helps prevent secondary damage and ensures all moisture is properly removed — even from areas you can't see.

Step 3: File a Claim With Your Insurance Company

If the damage is significant, you’ll want to notify your homeowner’s insurance provider and begin the claims process. In most cases involving interior water (like plumbing failures), your insurance will cover the restoration, minus your deductible.

Once a claim is filed, your insurance company may ask for documentation, photos, and an estimate. That’s where we step in — at Estate Solutions, LLC, we handle the communication, prepare detailed reports, and assist you throughout the process.

Step 4: Moisture Inspection and Damage Assessment

Before drying begins, the restoration team will assess the extent of the water damage. This involves:

Moisture meters to detect how deep water has penetrated walls, floors, and structural materials.
Infrared cameras to identify hidden moisture behind surfaces.
Damage documentation for your insurance file.

These inspections allow us to develop a customized drying and restoration plan for your home.

Step 5: Remove Wet Materials

Once the affected areas are identified, any non-salvageable materials are removed. This often includes:

Soaked carpet and padding
Warped or swollen baseboards
Saturated drywall (often cut 12–24 inches up — called a “flood cut”)
Damaged insulation or cabinetry

Removing these materials allows for direct airflow into affected cavities and eliminates potential breeding grounds for mold and bacteria.

Step 6: Set Up Professional Drying Equipment

Drying a home properly requires specialized commercial equipment— not just household fans or dehumidifiers.

At Estate Solutions, we deploy:

Air movers (high-powered fans) to rapidly circulate air and promote evaporation
Dehumidifiers to extract excess moisture from the air and speed up drying
Air scrubbers (if necessary) to filter contaminants and improve air quality in mold-prone or dirty water situations

We monitor the progress with moisture meters, adjusting the setup daily to ensure your property is drying correctly and safely.

Step 7: Monitor Progress – Typical Dry Time is 3 to 5 Days

Under normal conditions, the drying process takes about 72 hours , or three days. However, depending on the saturation level, building materials, and environmental conditions, it may take up to a week or longer.

Daily checks are performed to measure drying progress. Once everything reaches acceptable moisture levels, we remove the equipment and prepare the space for restoration.

Step 8: Begin the Restoration Process

After the drying is complete, it’s time to rebuild what was removed. That may include:

Replacing drywall and baseboards
Installing new flooring
Repainting affected areas
Restoring cabinetry or fixtures

Because Estate Solutions, LLC is a state-licensed construction company, we handle all of this in-house — no need to hire a second contractor. Our goal is to return your property to its pre-loss condition or better.

Why You Should Never DIY the Dry-Out Process

Drying out a house may seem simple, but doing it wrong can lead to long-term problems like:

Mold growth within walls or under floors
Structural weakening from trapped moisture
Insurance denial due to incomplete mitigation

Even if an area looks dry, moisture can hide behind drywall or under flooring. That’s why it’s so important to use professional equipment and certified technicians.

At Estate Solutions, LLC, we’re trained to detect and eliminate every trace of moisture — safely and thoroughly.

Serving the Entire Atlanta Metro Area

If you're facing water damage anywhere in the Atlanta Metro Area, from Douglasville to Decatur, Marietta to Midtown, we’re ready to help. We provide:

✅ 24/7 Emergency Response
✅ IICRC-Certified Technicians
✅ State-Licensed Reconstruction
✅ Insurance Coordination from Start to Finish

Call Estate Solutions, LLC for Water Damage Restoration in the Atlanta Metro Area

Don’t let hidden moisture turn into a major problem. If your home has suffered water damage, trust the experts at Estate Solutions, LLC to dry it out properly and rebuild it right.

Call us today at 404-913-3030 for fast, professional service.