Guides
Water damage guides for South Florida homes
Plain answers for the questions that come up when water gets where it should not, organized by topic.
Start hereFirst steps6 min read
What to Do After Water Damage
Make the area safe first, then stop the water at the fixture or main shutoff valve. Photograph everything before moving it, get belongings and electronics out of wet rooms, and remove small amounts of clean standing water. If water has reached walls, flooring or a unit below, call for water damage restoration the same day.
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First steps
What to do in the first hours after a leak, overflow or flood inside the home.
- 6 min readWhat to Do After Water DamageShut the water off, photograph everything, then get people and belongings out of the wet rooms. Call as soon as water reaches a wall or ceiling.
- 4 min readClean, Gray and Black Water in Plain WordsKnowing the water's category tells the crew which wet materials stay and dry and which come out. Say what leaked or backed up when you call.
- 3 min readSewage Backup in the House: First StepsStop the water, keep everyone clear and leave the mop in the closet. Call, and the sewage gets contained and hauled out before it reaches other rooms.
Leaks inside the home
Water from the unit above, AC lines, ceilings and appliances, and what has to be dried before anything is repaired.
- 3 min readWater Leaking From the Condo Unit AboveGet the water shut off upstairs and your own unit dried out. Call, and we'll get drying started on your side while the source is found and fixed.
- 3 min readWater Leaking From the Ceiling: What to DoKeep clear of a sagging ceiling and catch the drip. Call, and the wet drywall and insulation get read, dried or replaced before the stain spreads.
- 4 min readWater Heater Leaking: What to Do FirstClose the cold-water valve above the tank and shut off its power or gas. Then call, and the wet floor and walls get dried, next room included.
Drying and repairs
How long drying takes, how dry is confirmed, and when drywall, flooring and paint can go back.
- 4 min readHow Long Water Damage Takes to Dry OutA clean-water leak dries fastest when the air movers and dehumidifiers go in early. Call, and moisture readings will show when your walls and floors are done.
- 4 min readWhat a Water Damage Dry-Out Looks LikeAir movers roar, dehumidifiers hum and readings get logged every day. See what happens from the first visit until the last fan leaves.
- 4 min readWet Drywall: Dry It or Cut It Out?A lot of wet drywall can stay if drying starts early and the readings drop. Call, and the walls get read before anything gets cut.
Mold and moisture
How moisture turns into mold, where it hides and when drying is no longer enough.
- 5 min readHow Fast Mold Grows After Water DamageEvery day a wet wall stays wet in South Florida humidity, the odds of mold go up. Call once the stain spreads or the smell turns musty.
- 4 min readSigns of Hidden Water Damage in Your HomeA closet that smells musty or a swelling baseboard points to water you can't see. Call, and moisture readings trace how far it runs before anything gets opened.
- 4 min readClosing Up a Florida Home for SummerKeep the AC pulling humidity out and the water valve closed, and the house stays dry while you're away. Musty when you're back? Call to get the mold removed.
Storms and flooding
Hurricane season, heavy rain and water that comes in from outside.
- 5 min readHurricane Water Damage Checklist for South Florida HomesA few steps before landfall and a careful walk-through after can keep rain and roof leaks from spreading. If water's already inside, call us now.
- 5 min readFlood Water vs Leak Water in Your HomeRising water from outside and a burst pipe need different cleanups. Call, and the work follows the water you have, so only what has to go comes out.
- 4 min readKing Tides and Street Flooding in South FloridaSalt water from a king tide gets rinsed off before any drying, so the garage walls stop reading wet. Call once it gets past the door.