Guides

Water, mold and fire damage guides

Practical steps written for the moment you need them, checked against the EPA, the CDC, FEMA and the IICRC restoration standards. Each one starts with the short answer.

In an emergency

Roof leaking into the houseCatch the water, protect the ceiling, tarp safely and file the claim.Washer, dishwasher, fridge and toilet leaksWhich valve to close, and the hoses that fail most.Water heater leakingShut it down, find the leak, repair or replace.

Understanding the damage

Clean, gray or black waterThe three categories and four classes of water damage.Signs of hidden water damageStains, smells, soft floors and the water meter test.How long water damage takes to dryTypical drying times by material, and what dry really means.Black mold: what it is and what to doWhy color doesn't matter, health effects, and when testing helps.Crawl space water and moldWhere the water comes from, and vapor barriers vs. encapsulation.

Money and insurance

Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?Sudden vs. gradual, flood, sewer backup, and mold limits.What restoration costs2026 national ranges and what moves them.

Reference

Restoration and insurance glossaryCategory, class, mitigation, dry standard, ACV, AOB and more. Water damage risk by stateHousing age, freeze nights and heavy rain for 25 states. Our data and methodsCensus housing and NOAA daily weather, and how we use them.

Guides for your state

Insurance deadlines, cancellation rights and weather risk differ by state, so these guides live in each state's section. Pick your state:

Water, mold and fire damage guides

In an emergency

Understanding the damage

Money and insurance

Reference

Guides for your state

Alabama

Arkansas

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

West Virginia

Wisconsin