If your car sustains water damage from a flood or other unfortunate situation, an auto body shop can be instrumental in restoring your vehicle to working condition. But before you even think about restoration, you’ll need to take steps to prevent the damage from worsening and causing mold growth. Below, learn what to do if your car sustains water damage. 

What to Do When Your Car Sustains Water Damage

1. Don’t Start the Car

When you start up a car that was recently flooded, residual water gets pushed through the air intake, causing hydro-lock or irreversible damage to the engine’s internal components. Also, disconnect the battery to prevent getting an electric shock while you inspect for other issues. If you need to move your car, either push or tow it instead of trying to drive it.

2. Assess the Extent of Damage

Once the water subsides, survey the potential damage on your vehicle. Record the highest water level exposure by looking at the visible waterline left on the interiors. This piece of information is essential when you’re filing a claim, as your insurance carrier will decide whether to declare it totaled or repairable. A vehicle flooded with salt water tends to sustain more damage because of faster corrosion.

3. Remove Traces of Moisture Immediately

The longer your car sits damp, the more issues it can cause later on. Aside from corrosion, mold and mildew growth will occur. It’s essential to remove excess water in the cabin by using a wet and dry vacuum in nooks and crannies and placing cloth towels on wider spaces for better absorption. Where possible, remove waterlogged mats and dry them outside. To speed up the process, use oscillating fans, dehumidifiers, and hair dryers. 

Crack the windows and leave the doors open for increased ventilation, but don’t forget to check for drainage holes on the floor. Unplug these to get rid of standing water faster.  

4. Have a Professional Inspect It

If you have auto insurance, your carrier will send an adjuster and a mechanic to evaluate the damage. Otherwise, you have to hire someone from an auto body shop for this. They will inspect the engine, transmission, brakes, and fuel systems for signs of water contamination. A trained auto body shop technician will understand which components require complete replacement. 

Stop water damage from wreaking further havoc on your car by taking it to Valiante Auto Body. As the trusted auto body shop in Norwalk, CT, their highly skilled technicians have provided an extensive range of car body repair services, backed with over 40 years of industry experience. Call (203) 847-3043 to request auto body repair estimates or visit them online today.