Water in your home? We dry it out.

Put safety first: if water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, stay out of that area and don't touch anything electrical. If it is safe, stop the water by shutting off the main valve. Take photos before you move anything, then lift valuables and furniture out of the wet area. After that, call your insurance company and a water damage professional to check what needs drying.

There is no single answer. Drying time depends on how much water got in, which materials got wet, how long they stayed wet, and the humidity in and around the home. A small spill on tile may dry fairly quickly, while soaked walls, carpet padding or subfloors usually take longer. The goal is to keep drying until moisture readings show the materials are back to normal, not to stop after a set number of days.

Often you don't need a test to know mold is there, because visible growth already tells you there is a moisture problem to fix. Testing can still help in some cases, such as finding out how far the problem reaches, checking hidden areas, or confirming that a cleanup worked. A qualified professional can tell you whether testing would add useful information in your situation.

A small patch on a hard surface, smaller than about three feet by three feet, is often something a homeowner can clean with soap, water and protective gear like gloves, goggles and a well-fitted mask. Larger areas, mold inside walls or air conditioning systems, and mold after sewage or floodwater are better left to a professional. People with asthma, allergies or other health concerns should not clean mold themselves.

Mold can return if the moisture that caused it isn't fixed. That is why good remediation includes finding the leak or humidity source, drying the area fully and keeping it dry afterward. Keeping an eye on indoor humidity and fixing leaks quickly are the best ways to keep it from coming back.