It may surprise you to learn that of all the things that are damaging to your car, water is one of the worst.
In addition to the telltale stains water leaves behind, there is the potential for even more damage inside your car.
Causes of Water Damage
There are several ways excess water ends of in the inside of your vehicle including:
- Entering the vehicle during wet weather conditions
- Open/cracked windows during an unexpected rainstorm
- Leaks in roof, windshield or seals around windows
- Wet clothes, shoes, towels or umbrellas left inside the vehicle
- Pets
- Spills
The Dangers of Water Damage
Water or excessive moisture left behind can cause damage to the interior of your vehicle in some of the following ways:
- Settling underneath protective lenses near the control panel or gear shift areas causing moisture or fogging issues
- Peeling, bubbling or discoloration on hard surfaces
- Unsightly, difficult to remove staining
- Potential for mold and mildew
Preventing Water Damage Inside the Vehicle
Preventing water damage is easier than trying to clean it up after the fact.
- Keep windows rolled up during the threats of storms or rain in the forecast.
- Keep clean dry rags or towels in a watertight bag inside the vehicle available to help clean up excess water until you can vacuum out with a wet/dry vac.
- Dry off shoes and umbrellas with a towel once inside the vehicle to avoid splashing more water throughout the vehicle.
- While on a floor mat or protective covering, thoroughly dry off pets with a towel. Keep seats protected with a thick blanket.
- Rent or invest in a wet/dry vac to really pull out the water from carpeting, fabric and floor mats.
Things to Keep in Mind
Regardless of how excess water got inside the vehicle, the first and most important thing to do is to dry things out.
- Using a towel, soak up as much of the water as soon as you can. Check under floor mats to make sure there isn’t any standing water that can further saturate the interior carpet.
- Check under seats for pooling water or wet carpet.
- Run the heater on high for 15-20 minutes to help expedite the drying process. A hair dryer will also work.
- For damp conditions, leave the car doors open to keep air flow moving through the vehicle. This helps speed up the drying process and prevents odors from settling in.
- Once things are mostly dry, sprinkle baking soda or carpet freshener over the carpet to soak up remaining moisture. Vacuum when dry.
- Water, moisture and humidity are the primary ingredients for mold and mildew to set in. Mold is particularly dangerous to those suffering from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions.
Conclusion
As you can see, water damage can cause serious damage to your vehicle interior.
Once you’ve got the interior protected, let Downtown Autobody in Rohnert Park, CA keep the exterior of your vehicle protected from rust and paint damage.