Okay, I have to be honest with you. My family hasn't been through mold twice. We've been through it three times, and I've been too embarrassed to talk about the third one. Until now.
Forty-eight hours after we moved back into our freshly remediated home, we came home from church and stepped into four inches of water. My youngest son's toilet had overflowed into the hallway and all three boy's rooms.
We knew what to do, or so I thought. Down to the studs, fans and dehumidifiers for weeks, everything tested dry before we rebuilt. A few months later my symptoms came back. Then my husband's. Then my boy's.
This is our failed DIY remediation, the water we missed, and what I'd do differently.
Key Takeaways
- The one spot we couldn't reach as homeowners, and why it cost more than our whole first remediation
- How our moisture meter said "dry" while the water hid where we never thought to look
- What I was told about "waterproof" flooring, and why I won't put it in my home again
- The three questions I now ask the second I see standing water
- Why I gaslit myself into waiting to call our inspector, and why so many of you do too
- What we did differently when our bathtub started leaking over Labor Day
Questions this episode answers
How fast can mold grow after a leak or flood?
Mold can start growing in as little as 24 to 48 hours. If water has been sitting for days, that's not one I'd handle yourself.
Can I clean up water damage on my own?
Sometimes, yes. Ask three things first: How much water is it, and how long has it been sitting? Did it reach anything I can't remove myself? Can I verify it's dry inside, not just the surface? If any give you pause, call an IEP or a mold dog.
Why did mold grow when my moisture meter said everything was dry?
Water follows the path of least resistance.
Can mold grow under luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring?
It can. LVP is waterproof on top, but it doesn't breathe. Water underneath sits with nowhere to go.
Can mold illness symptoms come back after remediation?
Yes. A new water event or missed areas brings them right back. If your symptoms aren't budging, get your home looked at again.
How do I prepare my family for a water emergency?
Make your plan now, while you're calm and not standing in water. Know where your shut-offs are, keep fans and a dehumidifier on hand, and decide ahead of time when you'll call a pro.
Rooting for you,
Aubree
Links and Resources:
- Get the Mold Testing Bundle
- Take the Free Mold Symptom Assessment
- Learn more at Mold Free Mom
- Book a Free Discovery Call
- Mold Healing Supplements