How much time should you wait before a repair caused by the hot water inrush?

How much time should you wait before a repair caused by the hot water inrush?
It is difficult to give an exact answer without having seen the extent of water damage and being unaware of your walls, ceiling and floors finish.
But I dare say you may partially start water damage repair right now.
First of all, turn the supply meter off. There is no need in short-circuit, and the safety rules should always come first.

Then you should remove all the domestic appliances and electrical goods in safe water-free places. As far as possible, try to put away all the carpets, especially those expensive. The excess moisture may cause their damage. These must be done as soon as possible to reduce water damage consequences.


Then revise the inner decoration to find the poorest parts. If any, you should decide what to do with them – either to tear off (e.g. wallpapers or tile) or to wait for a while to let them dry up. When they get dry you’ll be able to identify whether the finishing agents have passed the hot water test and whether they won't peel off.

Assess the condition of your floors. If there is any water under the floor cloth, in all likelihood you’ll have to tear it off and at least to dry it up, as well as the floor. And of course, it’s up to you to change the floor cloth or not. The timber floors made of fiberboards or chipboards may distend as well. If there is no rush you may wait and examine them after a while – whether they stay distended or whether they look themselves again.

Anyway, you should air the apartment and try to keep as high temperature as possible. These will save from the excess moisture. You must also dry up the carpets and other cloth or wool items.

If the finishing is of a high quality and the partition wall is airtight you should drain the backwater before starting the water damage repair. To do this you should punch with an awl reference holes at the ceiling (in case of leakage) or bellow (in case of flood), and then make with a knife the drain outlets. On the water damage repair an utmost care is demanded as the waterlogged trimming may come down at any moment. To avoid electric shock you are also strongly recommended to cut off power in the framed space. In case of damage the heat insulation and sound proofing must be replaced.

It is preferable to do a large water damage repair in summer – you’ll have a good opportunity to air and dry up everything. Moreover, till
summer you’ll make up your mind over the finishing methods and agents and to pile up money (which is a matter of no little interest).