Yeah, I get the urge to just crank up a fan and hope for the best, but water’s sneaky. I tried skipping the moisture meter once—big mistake. Ended up with a musty smell that wouldn’t quit and had to rip out a chunk of drywall anyway. Honestly, I’d rather spend $30 on a cheap meter than gamble with mold cleanup later. Not saying you need to go full pro every time, but sometimes it’s worth being a little paranoid.
I hear you on the paranoia—water damage is one of those things that always seems minor until it isn’t. Had a tenant once who thought a towel and a box fan would do the trick after a leak. Fast forward two weeks, and I’m dealing with warped baseboards and a bill from the mold guy that made my eyes water. I’ve learned to just bite the bullet and get it checked properly, even if it feels like overkill at first. Sometimes being “that landlord” pays off in the long run, you know?
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’ve seen overkill inspections rack up costs for stuff that could’ve been handled with some diligence. If it’s a small leak and you catch it quick, here’s what I usually do:
1. Pull up any wet materials (carpet, baseboards) right away—don’t just dry the surface.
2. Use a moisture meter to actually check behind the wall or under flooring. Sometimes things look dry but aren’t.
3. Run a dehumidifier for at least 24-48 hours, not just a fan.
4. Only call in the pros if you see visible mold or moisture readings stay high after drying.
Not saying you shouldn’t be careful—just that sometimes you can avoid those big bills with the right tools and a bit of patience. Mold guys definitely aren’t cheap...
Honestly, I’m totally with you on not calling in the cavalry for every drip, but man, water damage gives me the creeps. It’s like, you think you’ve dried everything out, and then three weeks later your baseboards start warping or you get that weird musty smell… not fun.
I’d add a couple things to your list, just from stuff I’ve seen go sideways. First, if it’s a burst pipe (not just a little leak), I’d be extra cautious about what’s behind the wall. Sometimes the insulation soaks up way more water than you’d expect, and then it’s basically a sponge sitting there growing who-knows-what. If you can, cut out a small section of drywall to peek inside—sounds extreme, but patching drywall is usually cheaper than dealing with hidden mold down the line.
Also, don’t forget to check electrical outlets nearby. Water loves to find its way into places it shouldn’t be, and nobody wants a surprise zap or a shorted outlet. I usually pop off the cover plates and make sure there’s no moisture hiding in there.
Dehumidifier is key, like you said. Fans are great for surface drying but they don’t always get deep enough. I’ve borrowed those big rental dehumidifiers from Home Depot before—loud as heck but they do the job.
One time I thought I had everything under control after a small pipe burst in my laundry room. Pulled up the vinyl flooring, ran fans and a dehumidifier for days. Looked dry, felt dry… then two months later I found mold behind the washer because I missed one tiny wet patch under the baseboard. Ended up paying more for remediation than if I’d just called someone to check it out in the first place. Lesson learned: trust but verify with that moisture meter.
I get wanting to save money (who doesn’t?), but sometimes being a little paranoid pays off in the long run. Water’s sneaky like that.
Sometimes the insulation soaks up way more water than you’d expect, and then it’s basically a sponge sitting there growing who-knows-what.
Totally agree—insulation is the real wildcard. Last year, I thought I was being thorough after a pipe burst in my crawlspace. Pulled up flooring, fans everywhere, but didn’t realize the cellulose insulation behind the wall was soaked. Had to rip it all out months later when I noticed air quality tanking. Now I always check with a moisture meter and replace anything questionable. It’s a pain, but way better than breathing in mold spores.
