Water damage gets worse by the hour. Drywall wicks water up, flooring swells, and in Florida's humidity mold can start growing within a couple of days. Here's what to do first.

1. Stop the water if you can. Shut off the main water valve for a supply line or water heater leak. If water is near outlets or appliances, turn off power to that area at the breaker, but only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.

2. Know what kind of water it is. Clean water from a supply line is one thing. Flood water and storm water are black water, meaning grossly contaminated, even when they look clear. The same goes for anything that came from a toilet bowl or backed up from a drain or sewer line. Don't wade through it, and keep kids and pets out.

3. Don't blow it around. Contaminated water shouldn't be dried with fans. Wet drywall and insulation from a black water loss need to be cut out and removed, not dried in place.

4. Take photos before anything moves. Photograph the source, the standing water and every affected room. If you file an insurance claim, that documentation matters.

5. Get a moisture evaluation. Water travels behind walls and under floors where you can't see it. Moisture meters and a thermal camera show how far it went, so nothing wet gets closed up.

Affordable Water and Mold Removal, Inc. is IICRC-certified and has served Brevard County since 2018, from Mims to Palm Bay and the beaches. Every customer gets a free moisture evaluation and consultation, and we work directly for the homeowner while documenting the claim for your insurance company. Office hours are Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, and for emergencies a tech is normally on site within the hour.

Call (321) 890-2512 or learn more at https://affordablewaterandmoldremovalinc.com/water-damage-restoration/