What to Do If Your Vehicle Has Water Damage | Mercedes, TX
We are no stranger to flooding here in Mercedes, Texas. Hurricane season especially can lead to dangerous flooding that leaves thousands of cars damaged by water. If your vehicle has been damaged by water, don’t panic. Just follow these steps for both minor and major water damage to your car before you attempt any fixes on your own.
Dry out the car
The first thing you need to do when you discover water damage to your vehicle is to dry it out as soon as possible. DO NOT RUN THE ENGINE. Running the engine when it could have water in it could do irreparable damage, and engines are not cheap.
If the vehicle is already at your home, you can begin your drying work there. If you are out and about, you will need to arrange for a tow to bring it home.
To dry out your car, truck, or SUV, open all of the doors (and sunroof, if it has one), plus the hood and the trunk or liftgate. Assuming sunshine is on the forecast, you will want to leave it out like this for several days. If there is ever rain in the forecast, tow the vehicle inside a garage or just close all the doors.
You can expedite the drying process with a wet vac, sucking up all the water in the interior. Remove the floor mats and seats and let those dry out of the vehicle separately. You can use the drying function of a carpet cleaner on these. You can also use towels to wipe down the dashboard and anything else that might be wet.
Get in touch with insurance
You will also need to contact your insurance company if your policy covers water damage. They will send an adjuster out to assess your vehicle. They may total out the vehicle and cut you a check, in which case drying it won’t be necessary.
Check out the large inventory of pre-owned and certified pre-owned vehicles at Bert Ogden Auto Outlet in Mercedes, Texas.
