My adjuster was decent, but they wanted a million photos and kept asking if I’d “mitigated” the damage—like, yeah, I put down towels and ran fans, but what else am I supposed to do at 2am? ...
I get the urge to just rip out anything soft, but I’m not totally convinced it’s always necessary. Those drying mats and industrial dehumidifiers seem like overkill, but I’ve seen a neighbor save their hardwoods after a dishwasher leak using one of those setups. Took a few days, but the boards actually flattened out again. Maybe it depends on how fast you catch it? I’d rather try drying first than pay for all new floors if there’s a chance.
I get the urge to just rip out anything soft, but I’m not totally convinced it’s always necessary.
Depends a lot on how long the water sits and what materials are soaked. For hardwoods, if you catch it quick, those drying mats and strong dehumidifiers can actually work—seen it myself after a kitchen supply line burst. But with carpet or insulation, even if it looks dry on the surface, moisture can linger underneath and cause mold. If you’re dealing with drywall, sometimes it’s safer to cut out a section rather than risk it. It’s not always about overkill—sometimes it’s about not having to redo the job later.
if it looks dry on the surface, moisture can linger underneath and cause mold.
That’s spot on—surface dry doesn’t mean safe. I’ve seen folks skip pulling up carpet because it “felt dry,” only to find mold a month later. Curious if anyone’s tried those moisture meters? I’ve used them a few times, but sometimes I wonder if they’re really accurate for stuff like insulation behind walls. Anyone had luck with that, or is it just better to open things up and check?