The leak is fixed and the floor looks dry. But water that soaks into walls, carpet pad, and subfloors can stay wet long after the surface dries, and that's where mold starts. Here's what to check in the days after a leak in your Suffield or Enfield home, and when to call Longo at (413) 779-9050.
Mold can start within a day or two
Mold can begin growing on damp materials within 24 to 48 hours. That's why a leak that seemed small can turn into a bigger problem a few weeks later, even if you never saw standing water. For the warning signs in more detail, see Signs of Mold After Water Damage.
Where to look
- Walls and ceilings: stains, bubbling or peeling paint, or drywall that feels soft.
- Floors and carpet: carpet that feels dry on top can still have a wet pad underneath. Press down near the edges of where the water was.
- Under sinks and behind appliances: cabinet bottoms, the wall behind the dishwasher, and the floor under the washer.
- Basements and crawl spaces: the lowest point in the house is where water ends up.
- Vents: if water reached your ductwork, don't run the system until someone checks it.
A musty smell is a warning
You'll often smell mold before you see it. If a room smells musty after a leak, there's usually moisture somewhere you can't see, inside a wall, under flooring, or in the pad.
When to call a pro
- Something stayed wet for more than a day or two.
- You smell mustiness but can't find the source.
- Visible mold covers more than about 10 square feet, the EPA's rule of thumb for calling a professional.
- It's come back after you cleaned it.
What Longo does
We measure moisture in walls, floors, and pad to find what's still wet. Then we dry it out with dehumidifiers and air movers and handle mold remediation if it's already started. Longo also does water damage cleanup, so one call covers both.
Our shop is on Suffield Street in Agawam, just across the state line from Suffield and Enfield. If your basement took on water, our guide to water damage restoration in Enfield covers what to do first.
Call Longo
(413) 779-9050, 24/7 for water damage and mold in Suffield, Enfield, and across Northern Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. For anything that isn't urgent, request a free estimate.
