Water Damage and Mold FAQ

Straight answers for Lee County homeowners on water damage, mold, insurance and repairs.

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These answers cover the questions Lee County homeowners ask most. For the full guide, see water damage restoration in Fort Myers, mold remediation and our process.

Frequently asked questions

Short, straight answers for Lee County homeowners.

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Mitigation stops the damage: extraction, drying and removing ruined materials. Restoration repairs and rebuilds afterward. Insurers often pay them as separate parts of a claim, so keep records for both.

Sudden, accidental water from inside the home is usually covered. Rising flood water needs flood insurance. Slow leaks that ran 14 days or more are often excluded. Read the water and mold sections of your policy.

The IICRC’s most contaminated class. It includes sewage, storm surge and river or canal flooding. Porous materials it touches usually get removed rather than dried.

Until materials reach target moisture levels. That’s typically three to five days, but readings decide, not the calendar. Don’t let equipment leave without final written readings.

Below 60%, according to the EPA, and ideally between 30% and 50%. The CDC recommends no higher than 50%. A cheap hygrometer lets you check.

No. Paint hides mold but doesn’t remove it or the moisture feeding it. It will come back through the paint. Remove it properly and fix the source.

For larger jobs, often yes. Florida licenses them separately and bars the same company from doing both on one home within 12 months. The assessor defines the scope, the remediator does the work.

Turn the AC off at the thermostat, clear the drain line, and check the closet walls and floor with a moisture meter. Anything wet should be dried within 48 hours.

If repair costs reach 50% of your home’s market value, the home is considered substantially damaged. It may then need to meet current flood elevation rules. Lee County enforces this during permit review.

They can document damage and share records with your adjuster. Since January 1, 2023, Florida bans assignment of benefits on new policies, so you stay in control of the claim.

Photograph your home, know where your main valve is, clear gutters and the AC drain line, and review your flood policy. NFIP flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period.

We cover all of Lee County, including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers and Bonita Springs. See our service areas page or call with your ZIP code.

Water where it shouldn’t be? Let’s get it dry.

Fast water damage restoration in Fort Myers starts with one call. Every hour counts in this humidity, so don’t wait for the smell.

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