Water Damage
Read our latest articles about water damage services.
Read more →Read our latest articles about water damage services.
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Some water damage is manageable for homeowners who act fast. Others require professional equipment no DIY effort can replace. The deciding factors: how much water, what type, how long it’s been there, and what materials are affected. Here’s how to know when you can handle it—and when calling for help is the smarter move.

The water damage you can see is stressful enough. But hidden leaks—working quietly behind walls, under floors, and above ceilings—can cause damage for weeks or months before they announce themselves. Learning to spot early warning signs like unexplained water bill increases, musty odors, paint bubbling, or soft spots in flooring can save thousands of dollars and prevent complicated remediation projects.

Mold can begin colonizing wet surfaces within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure. Visible growth typically appears within 3 to 12 days. The critical variable isn’t just time—it’s whether materials actually dried, especially in hidden spaces like wall cavities and under flooring where moisture can persist long after surfaces look dry.