Can I repair water damage myself?

Some water damage restoration is a job you can do yourself, and some is not. The EPA draws the line by the size of the mold, the kind of water, and the health of the person doing the work.

Jobs you can do yourself

The EPA mold cleanup page says that if the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet, roughly a 3 foot by 3 foot patch, in most cases you can handle the job yourself. Fix the leak before you clean. A spot that stays wet is still a water problem, and how soon does mold grow after a water leak? explains the 24 to 48 hour window.

Jobs that need a pro

The same EPA page names the cases to hand off. If there has been a lot of water damage, or mold covers more than 10 square feet, it points you to its larger cleanup guide for buildings. If the damage came from sewage or other dirty water, it says to call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings hit by that kind of water.

It also says not to run the heating and cooling system if you know or think it has mold in it, because it could spread mold through the whole building.

Stay safe if you start

The EPA flood cleanup page says people with breathing problems like asthma, or with weak immune systems, should stay away from moldy areas and should not take part in flood cleanup. It adds that it may be best to get help from experienced and qualified pros if you can.

If the floor is wet, deal with the power before anything else. Should I turn off the electricity if the floor is wet? covers how to do that from a dry spot.

How to pick a crew

If the job is bigger than a small patch, choosing a water damage company lists what to ask before anyone pulls carpet. What to do when water is in the house has the full first-hours order, and city pages such as water damage in Cedar Rapids add the local notes.