Had a job last year where the homeowner thought just running a box fan would do the trick after a supply line burst. By the time I got called in, the baseboards were already soft and there was a musty smell creeping in. Ended up costing them way more than if they’d just rented proper drying equipment right away.
- Hidden moisture is no joke—seen it rot out studs behind perfectly fine-looking drywall.
- Insurance companies will absolutely use any delay against you, like you said.
- I get that the upfront cost stings, but trust me, it’s nothing compared to tearing out moldy framing.
Honestly, “overdoing it” is just doing it right when it comes to water damage.
I learned this the hard way last winter. Thought I could just mop up and run a couple fans after a pipe split in my laundry room—nope. Ended up with warped flooring and a weird smell that wouldn’t quit. If I could go back, I’d pay for the pro gear right away, even if it felt like overkill at the time. It’s wild how much moisture hides behind walls... and how fast it gets gross.
Honestly, pro gear isn’t always the only way. I’ve seen folks panic and shell out thousands when a bit of patience and the right DIY steps would’ve worked. Key things:
- Pull up baseboards and drill small holes to let air behind walls.
- Use a dehumidifier, not just fans—makes a huge difference.
- Check for hidden moisture with a cheap meter from the hardware store.
Not saying pros are never needed, but sometimes people overreact and spend way more than they have to. If you catch it early and do it right, you can avoid most of the nasty aftermath.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen a lot of folks try the DIY route and end up with mold behind the walls months later. Sometimes it looks dry on the surface, but water gets trapped in insulation or under flooring. Insurance companies can be picky if you don’t have pro documentation, too. Not saying you always need to call in a crew, but if it’s more than a small puddle, I’d at least get a pro to check it out.
I hear you, and I’ve seen the aftermath of “surface dry” jobs that turned into five-figure mold remediations down the line. Honestly, for anything more than a mop-up, I always bring in a mitigation crew—costs more up front, but it’s way cheaper than gutting a wall six months later. Insurance adjusters love paperwork, too. Curious—has anyone actually had insurance deny a claim because they tried to DIY?
