The first day after water gets in decides how big the job gets. Mold can start within a day or two of standing water. Here is what to do while it is still small.
Stop the water and cut the power
Shut the water off at the source or the main. If water is near outlets or panels, cut the power to that area first. Safety before cleanup.
Pull what is wet, fast
Get wet rugs, furniture, and boxes up off the floor. Standing water and wet material feed mold. The sooner it is out, the smaller the job.
Document it for your claim
Photograph everything before you move it. If you are filing an insurance claim, those photos and a written scope are what your adjuster needs.
Dry the cavity, not just the surface
A fan on the carpet is not enough. Water in the wall cavity and subfloor has to be dried out and checked with a moisture meter, or it comes back as mold. That is the part to leave to a crew with the gear.
If the water is still coming in, call before you read another word; a person answers day or night. Once it's stopped, we pull what's wet, meter the walls and subfloor, and write a scope your adjuster can work from.
