The first 48 hours after water damage matter because EPA guidance says wet materials dried within 24 to 48 hours generally will not grow mold. Make the area safe, shut off the source, photograph the damage, tell the owner or manager if the building is not yours, and call for drying before the window closes.
Key takeaways
- EPA guidance treats 24 to 48 hours as the window in which wet materials should be dried.
- Porous materials such as drywall, carpet, insulation and ceiling tile wet for more than 48 hours are generally best removed.
- Running fans on existing mold can spread it, so do not start fans on a moldy surface.
- Tenants tell the owner or manager at once, since shared lines and shutoffs are theirs.
What do I do in the first hour?
Make the area safe first. Keep out of standing water near electrical equipment, and shut off the source if you can reach it without risk.
Move what can be lifted, and photograph the water and the damage before anything is moved. Note the time you noticed the water.
If there is a heating-oil tank in a basement, keep away from it and report any leak to Connecticut DEEP.
Who do I tell, and when do I call for drying?
If the building is not yours, tell the owner or manager at once, because shared lines and the shutoff belong to them. Call for drying as soon as the water is found, so that it starts inside the 24 to 48 hour window.
Write down who you told and when. The technician will ask for that record, and the insurer may too.
Calls are answered 24/7 on (833) 490-5225. The technician explains the estimate on site before work starts, and nothing is removed without that explanation.
What should not happen in the first 48 hours?
Do not start fans or the furnace on a surface that may hold mold, and do not tear out plaster or drywall before the technician has checked the moisture.
Hidden spaces, such as wall cavities, crawl spaces and attics, are the common places drying is missed. Ask the technician to check them, not only the visible floor.
If the water came from outside, it is generally treated as flood, and homeowners policies generally do not cover flood. Keep the photographs and report the loss to your insurer promptly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start drying the room myself?
You can remove standing water and move valuables. Do not start fans on a surface that may hold mold, and keep the removal of soaked porous materials for the technician.
What if the leak is coming from the unit above?
Tell the building owner or manager at once, since the shutoff and the repair belong to them. Call for drying in your own unit, and keep a note of the time.
Do I need a permit for the repair?
Ask the building department in your town. Stamford's Building Department confirms whether a water repair needs a permit, and other towns have their own offices.
Sources
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, guidance on mold and moisture
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, residential heating oil tanks
This guide is general information for Fairfield County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.