Drying out after a leak, and keeping mold out

Inside the living space

• Move furniture and belongings out of wet rooms. Put foil or blocks under the legs of furniture that has to stay.
• Pull up soaked rugs and carpet pad. Pad usually cannot be saved.
• Run fans and dehumidifiers around the clock, and keep the heat on. Open windows only if the air outside is drier.
• If the wall cavity is wet, remove baseboards and cut out wet drywall above the water line. Wet insulation inside walls usually has to come out.

Under the house

When a pipe bursts in a crawl space, water pools on the vapor barrier and soaks the floor joists and subfloor. Pump or drain standing water, pull back or replace a soaked vapor barrier, and dry the space with fans or a dehumidifier. Wet fiberglass insulation between the joists sags and holds water against the wood; it usually needs to come out. A restoration company can measure moisture in the framing so you know when it is really dry.

Mold

The EPA's rule is that the key to mold control is moisture control. Fix the leak, dry within 24 to 48 hours, and clean small areas of mold on hard surfaces with water and detergent. The EPA suggests that a moldy area larger than about 10 square feet may call for professional help. Throw out porous items that stay wet or moldy.

Insurance

Drying and cleanup after a covered sudden loss are usually part of the claim; mold coverage is often limited. Keep the drying company's moisture readings and invoices with your claim records.

Before you hire a restoration company

Get the scope and price in writing, and read any paper that assigns your insurance payment to the company before you sign it. Ask your insurer if you are not sure.