Get help with water damage or mold

Why the first two days matter

The EPA says water-damaged areas and items should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth; when wet materials are dried in that window, in most cases mold will not grow. Drying is also only half the job. If the mold is cleaned up but the water problem is not fixed, the EPA says the mold will most likely come back.

Before you call

• Your ZIP code. Calls are routed by area.
• Where the water came from. A supply line or appliance, a roof, groundwater, or a sewer backup. The EPA advises bringing in a professional experienced with contaminated water when the damage came from sewage or other contaminated water.
• When it started, and whether it has stopped.
• How big the affected area is. For mold, the EPA puts the line at about 10 square feet, roughly a 3-by-3-foot patch: smaller areas are usually a job a homeowner can handle, and larger ones call for its remediation guidance.
• Whether you have called your insurer, and the claim number if you have one.

Questions to ask before work starts

Which standard will the work follow? The EPA suggests asking a mold contractor to follow its remediation guide or the guidelines of the ACGIH or the IICRC. For water damage, the IICRC’s S500 standard (fifth edition, 2021) describes the procedures for restoring a water-damaged home.

Who fixes the source? The S500 standard assumes that finding and correcting the source of the water is the property owner’s responsibility, not the restorer’s, although an owner may hire the restorer or another specialist to do it. Ask whether the company will coordinate that repair or whether you need a plumber or roofer separately.

How will you know the house is dry? Ask how moisture will be measured, which materials will be dried in place, and which will be removed.

What is in the written estimate? The FTC advises getting a written estimate that describes the work, the materials, a completion date, and the price, and it lists a demand to pay everything up front as a sign of a scam. Ask whether the company bills your insurer directly and what you owe if the claim is denied.

Has the company done this kind of job before? The EPA advises hiring a mold contractor with experience cleaning up mold and checking references.

If anyone in the home has health concerns, the EPA advises talking to a health professional before cleanup starts.

How to check a license

Licensing rules for water damage and mold work differ from place to place. The FTC’s advice applies everywhere: confirm the license with your state or county government, and ask for proof of insurance.