Brown ring on the ceiling, paint bubbling, baseboards swelling, or floor boards cupping? That’s water that got somewhere it shouldn’t. Call or send a few details, and a local water damage pro will come look at what’s wet and what needs fixing.
Dry it first, then fix it
The most common mistake is patching and painting over damage that’s still wet inside. The stain comes right back, or mold shows up behind the new paint a few weeks later. A good repair starts with finding the source, confirming it’s stopped, and checking the area with a moisture meter. Only then does the drywall get cut out and replaced.
If the water is still active or the area is soaked, start with water extraction and drying.
Ceilings
A stain on a downstairs ceiling usually means a leak from a bathroom, a water heater in the attic, an AC drain line, or the roof. A ceiling that sags or feels soft has water sitting on it and can come down, so keep people out from under it. Small stains on dry drywall can often be sealed and painted. Drywall that got soaked usually gets cut out and replaced.
Walls and baseboards
Drywall wicks water up from the floor. It’s common to remove the bottom couple of feet of wall and the baseboards so the cavity behind can dry. That sounds drastic, but it’s usually cheaper than fighting mold in a closed-up wall later.
Floors
Carpet pad is usually replaced. Laminate and engineered flooring that’s been soaked often swells at the seams and has to come out. Solid hardwood can sometimes be dried in place if it’s caught early, then sanded and refinished. Tile is fine on top, but the subfloor underneath may still need drying.
Cabinets
Kitchen and bathroom cabinets with particleboard bottoms swell and fall apart when they stay wet. Pulling the toe kick lets the space underneath dry. Cabinets that have swollen usually need replacing.
Ask who does the rebuild
Some restoration companies only dry things out. Others also do the drywall, paint, flooring, and cabinets afterward. Ask up front, so you know whether you’ll be looking for a second contractor once the fans are gone.
Ready to get it fixed? Call or send the details.