After a severe weather event, be that floods, storms, cyclones or even just heavy downpours, it’s commonplace to find water damage on your property or business. Thanks to our storm season being mostly in summer, the air is humid and filled with moisture even when the rain subsides. This only worsens water damage as the area takes longer to dry.
Over time, water damage can corrode paint or cause surface bubbles to form, eventually cracking, peeling, flaking, or staining. Water damage can transform a lovely building into an eyesore if left untreated. If the building is your place of work, that’s not the impression you want to leave.
If you’ve spotted water damage on your assets, we’ll tell you how to restore them and reclaim the appearance of your building. Check out our guide on how to restore paintwork after water damage.
Note: At APT Spray Painting, we are a team of professional commercial spray painters. We work inside a spray booth, so for this blog, we will only discuss repairing assets that can be brought into our 10m x 5m x 3m booth. Still, the tips provided can be applied to fixed structures like water-damaged walls, cabinets, and flooring materials.
1. Assess the Damage
The extent of water damage depends on a number of factors:
- The material of the item
- How long it was exposed to water
- What protective measures the item had
Some items are more resistant than others to water damage. It’s important to consider what’s salvageable and what’s a lost cause. If your chipboard or wood cabinetry has water damage, it is at risk of warping or deteriorating. In contrast, metal will remain structurally sound as long as they haven’t developed rust.
2. Salvage, Dry Off Items & Clean
Once you assess the damage, take anything that’s salvageable and dry it to ensure there is no water inside. Consider putting industrial fans on the affected items and using a dehumidifier. If you can physically see water-filled pockets in the paint, use a pin to drain them.
When the item feels appropriately dry, remove all the flaking/peeling paint with a wire brush or paint scraper. Afterwards, give the affected area a clean to remove any mould or bacteria hidden from the human eye.
If you want to skip the following steps, call APT Spray Painting once you get to this stage. We’re a locally-owned, professional spray painting company that promises perfect finishes on a wide range of commercial assets. Not only are our spray systems gorgeous, but they offer advanced weather protection to prevent more water damage from happening in the future.
3. Sanding or Filling
Water damage can cause a bunch of strange effects. Items can bubble and warp or cave in, or dissolve. See what your damage looks like, and then sand it down or fill it up with spackle or other suitable putties. No matter if you’re filling up, or sanding down, make sure the surface you’ll be working on is flat and sanded so the paint can cure better.
4. Apply Primer
Before slapping paint on your items, you must apply an even primer coat first. Priming ensures a superior paint finish that is less likely to peel or chip over time. Primer seals the surface, improves paint adhesion and protects the item itself.
5. Colour Match and Paint
Now all the tedious jobs are complete; it’s time to grab your paint. First, you’ll want to grab a sample of the surrounding paint so you can get a direct colour match. That will save you from needing to paint the entire surface a new colour. Still, exact colour matching isn’t always easy and often needs a professional’s touch.
If you plan to handle your water damage restoration solo, you’ll want to test the new paint on an inconspicuous area first to see if it blends. Once you’re happy, you can spot paint over the affected area while trying to blend the edges with the existing colour.
If you want to guarantee a professional quality paint job, employing an expert ensures a long-lasting paint job that can also add protective properties to your item. At APT Spray Painting, we specialise in commercial and industrial spray painting services. Just bring your water-damaged item to us, and we’ll get it back looking brand new in just 7-10 business days!
