Totally agree—cutting corners with water damage just isn’t worth it. I’ve found that using eco-friendly drywall and insulation helps a bit if you do need to replace stuff. Mold can hide for ages, and the chemicals used in some repairs are nasty. Ever tried vinegar or borax for cleanup?
Vinegar and borax are decent for surface cleaning, but honestly, they’re no match for a full-blown water damage situation. Once drywall or insulation gets soaked, you’re better off replacing it—mold loves to hide where you can’t see. Eco-friendly materials are a solid call, though. I’ve seen folks try to save money with DIY fixes, but cutting corners usually ends up costing more down the road.
I learned this the hard way last year when a pipe burst behind our laundry room wall. At first, I tried drying things out myself—ran fans, used vinegar and baking soda, all that. But the musty smell just wouldn’t quit. Ended up calling in pros to pull out drywall and insulation. Cost us about $2,500, but honestly, it was worth it for peace of mind. If I had to do it over, I’d skip the DIY and go straight to demo and replacement. Mold’s sneaky... not worth risking your health or future repairs.
That’s a hefty bill, but I get it—mold cleanup is no joke. I keep wondering if insurance covers any of this, or if it just hikes up your premiums. Did you try filing a claim, or did you just eat the cost?
I’ve seen people try to claim water damage on their insurance, but sometimes the adjuster says it’s “preventable” and denies it. My uncle went through that—he was stuck paying out of pocket and wasn’t thrilled. Did your cleanup crew have to rip out drywall, or was it just surface stuff?
