Water damage repair: dry it yourself or call a pro?

For homeowners

For water damage repair, EPA says to dry your home and everything in it as quickly as you can, within 24-48 hours, and to assume mold growth if you could not. Flood water may have carried sewage or chemicals, and EPA says cleanup may be too difficult or dangerous, so it may be best to get qualified professionals. Updated 27 October 2026

(U.S. EPA, 2026) (U.S. EPA, 2026) (U.S. EPA, 2026) (U.S. EPA, 2026)

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Symptoms: what they can mean, who handles them, how soon

Symptom	What the source says it can mean	DIY or pro	Urgency
Drywall swelling, or seams not intact	“May be dried in place if there is no obvious swelling and the seams are intact. If not, remove, discard, and replace.” (U.S. EPA, 2026)	—	—
Flood water: sewage or chemicals	“Flood water may have carried sewage or chemicals into your home.” (U.S. EPA, 2026)	Pro: “Cleanup may be too difficult or dangerous for you. It may be best to get help from qualified professionals if you can.” (U.S. EPA, 2026)	—
Materials wet more than 48 hours	“If mold growth has occurred or materials have been wet for more than 48 hours, consult Table 2 guidelines.” (U.S. EPA, 2026)	—	—
Moldy smell, but you cannot see the source	“You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source …” (U.S. EPA, 2026)	—	—
Items that can't be cleaned and dried	“Throw away items that can’t be cleaned and dried.” (U.S. EPA, 2026)	—	—
Plumbing leaks and other water problems	“Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely.” (U.S. EPA, 2026)	—	now (U.S. EPA, 2026)

An em dash (—) means the cited source does not specify who should handle the work or how soon.

How fast does water damage need drying?

EPA's flooded-home guide, last updated August 6, 2026, says to assume you have mold growth if you could not dry your home within 24-48 hours. EPA's mold remediation guide adds that the 48-hour mark is only a guideline.

“You should assume you have mold growth if you were not able to dry your flooded home, including furniture and other belongings, within 24–48 hours.” U.S. EPA, Flooded Home Cleanup (text version); Last updated on August 6, 2026. (U.S. EPA, 2026)
“If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.” U.S. EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home; Last updated on February 18, 2026. (U.S. EPA, 2026)
“Note that mold growth will not always occur after 48 hours; this is only a guideline.” U.S. EPA, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, Chapter 4; Last updated on September 8, 2026. (U.S. EPA, 2026)

Safety first

“Make sure the electricity is off and look out for structural or other hazards.” (U.S. EPA, 2026)
“… flood affected any part of your air ducts or HVAC system, do not use it to dry until a professional tells you it is safe.” (U.S. EPA, 2026)

What to put in your request

What is wrong, in your own words: what you see, hear or smell, and when it started.
Whether you want a repair or a replacement (or are not sure yet).
How soon: an emergency, the next few days, or a set timeframe.
The ZIP code of the home.
Whether you own or rent the home.
Whether an insurance claim is involved.
Photos of the problem area, taken only where you can stand safely.

How long do you have to dry water damage?

EPA says to dry your home and everything in it as quickly as you can, within 24-48 hours, and to assume you have mold growth if you could not. It also notes the 48-hour mark is only a guideline.

(U.S. EPA, 2026) (U.S. EPA, 2026) (U.S. EPA, 2026)

Can drywall be dried in place after water damage?

EPA's mold remediation guide says wallboard may be dried in place if there is no obvious swelling and the seams are intact; if not, remove, discard and replace it.

(U.S. EPA, 2026)

When should you call a professional for water damage repair?

EPA says cleanup may be too difficult or dangerous for you and it may be best to get help from qualified professionals. It says you may also need a qualified remediation or restoration professional to know whether your cleanup is complete.

(U.S. EPA, 2026) (U.S. EPA, 2026)

What safety steps come first after a flood?

EPA says make sure the electricity is off and look out for structural or other hazards. If the flood affected your air ducts or HVAC system, it says do not use it to dry until a professional tells you it is safe.

(U.S. EPA, 2026) (U.S. EPA, 2026)

What should you throw away after water damage?

EPA says throw away items that can't be cleaned and dried.

(U.S. EPA, 2026)

Related InstaBids pages

Sources

U.S. EPA, Flooded Home Cleanup (text version), Last updated on August 6, 2026; read 2026-10-24.
U.S. EPA, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, Chapter 4, Last updated on September 8, 2026; read 2026-10-24.
U.S. EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, Last updated on February 18, 2026; read 2026-10-24.
U.S. EPA, Mold Cleanup in Your Home, Last updated on June 4, 2026; read 2026-10-24.

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