Florida storm response
After a Hurricane or Flood: Your 48-Hour Mold Prevention Checklist
Water inside a building starts a clock. What you do in the first two days decides whether you dry out or end up with a mold problem. Here is the checklist our assessors give Florida property owners after every storm.
The first 48 hours, step by step
- 1
Make it safe first
Stay out of standing water near outlets or appliances. Turn off power to wet areas at the breaker only if you can reach it safely. Wait for the all-clear before entering a damaged building.
- 2
Stop the water
Tarp roof openings, shut the main water valve for plumbing leaks and clear debris from drains once the storm passes.
- 3
Photograph everything before you clean
Wide shots of every room, close-ups of water lines on walls, damaged contents and the outside of the building. Insurers ask for these.
- 4
Start drying within 24 hours
Remove standing water, pull up wet rugs, open cabinets, run the AC and dehumidifiers. Wet materials can begin growing mold within 24 to 48 hours.
- 5
Remove what cannot be saved
Soaked carpet padding, mattresses, upholstered furniture and drywall that wicked water usually cannot be dried in time. Keep a list and photos for your claim.
- 6
Do not trust what looks dry
Water hides in wall cavities, subfloors and under cabinets. A moisture survey with meters and thermal imaging shows what is still wet.
- 7
Get an independent assessment before rebuilding
Before new drywall goes up, have a licensed assessor confirm the structure is dry and write the remediation scope if growth has started.
Where storm water hides
| Material | Why it matters | How we check it |
|---|---|---|
| Drywall and insulation | Wicks water well above the visible line; often needs cutting back | Moisture readings at several heights |
| Carpet and padding | Padding stays wet long after the carpet feels dry | Lift a corner and probe the pad and subfloor |
| Wood floors and subfloor | Cupping and hidden moisture under finish flooring | Pin and pinless meters, thermal imaging |
| Cabinets and vanities | Particleboard bases swell and trap water behind kick plates | Inspect the cabinet base and wall behind it |
| HVAC and ductwork | Floodwater or debris in ducts and the air handler spreads contamination | Inspect the air handler, returns and duct runs |
How UES helps after a storm
- Priority scheduling for active water intrusion and storm damage across Central Florida
- Moisture mapping with thermal imaging and moisture meters to find water you cannot see
- Air and surface sampling analyzed by an independent accredited laboratory
- Independent documentation of cause and extent that adjusters and contractors can rely on
- A written remediation protocol, then clearance testing before you rebuild
- Assessment only: we never sell remediation, so the scope is never inflated
Storm and flood questions
How quickly does mold grow after a flood?
Wet building materials can begin to support mold growth within 24 to 48 hours, which is why fast drying matters more than anything else in the first two days. Growth is often hidden inside walls and under floors before anything is visible.
Should I call a remediation company or an assessor first?
If water is still coming in or standing, call a water mitigation company to extract and dry right away. Then have an independent licensed assessor check what is still wet and whether growth has started, so any remediation is scoped to what is actually needed. Florida licenses assessors and remediators separately.
Will insurance cover mold after a hurricane?
Coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the damage, and only your insurer can decide it. What helps every claim is prompt mitigation, dated photos and independent documentation of moisture and damage, which is what a UES assessment provides.
How soon can UES come out after a storm?
We prioritize active water intrusion and storm damage. Central Florida clients are usually scheduled within a few business days, often sooner. Book online or call (407) 438-4684.
Is it safe to stay in a home that flooded?
Floodwater can carry sewage and chemicals, and wet materials can grow mold quickly. People with asthma, allergies or weakened immune systems should be especially cautious. If in doubt, stay elsewhere until the home is dried and assessed, and follow guidance from local officials.
Dry it fast, then get an independent answer
Moisture mapping, lab-verified sampling and a clear protocol before you rebuild. Book online or call.
Not sure you need an inspection? Take the 60-second quiz
What our clients say
“The owner and her team are incredibly thorough. They spent hours in my home and shared what they were doing along the way. UES goes way beyond what I expected, providing an education along with a comprehensive analysis. A multipage report along with recommendations was professionally presented and staff was available to answer all of my questions. I have complete faith in UES's procedures and findings and highly recommend them with no reservations.”
“No home owner wants to hear the word "mold", but if you do, you need the best to support you through the journey. Ultimate Environmental Solutions (UES) is the best. Initially, I didn't know where to turn and UES was highly recommended to me by a friend. The owner and her team walked me through every step and created a plan of action. They were kind, responsive, professional, but most of all knowledgeable. The thorough protocol report they provided was a valuable asset in claiming mold and water damage compensation from my insurance company. Do not cut corners when it comes to mold. The owner is an expert in her field. She is my trusted ally and truly went above and beyond.”
“If you are wondering who to trust with the health and safety of your family, look no further than UES Ultimate Environmental Solutions, Inc. The owner came out to our home and put my mind and wallet to ease. She was transparent, authentic, and professional. She truly cared about my family and our needs, including financial and wellbeing. It's hard to trust anyone anymore. I promise you; you can trust UES. Once you meet her, you'll immediately know why I felt compelled to leave this review as soon as she left my home. Thank you for UES.”
“Ultimate Environmental Solutions provided the environmental testing during a remediation project due to hurricane damage to one of my commercial office building. I found UES to be very professional and easy to work with. I will definitely reach out to them should the need arise.”
“My experience with UES was wonderful. The inspector was friendly, professional and thorough. The office staff was very competent and helpful. The mold specialists spent a great deal of time with me on the phone assessing my needs and guiding me to the type of inspection that was right for me, and she was very careful and thorough in explaining to me the results of the lab results. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this company to anyone searching for mold inspections.”
“Unbelievable customer service and professional knowledge even to non-customer!!! Right off the bat, the owner knew her FL company couldn't help my out-of-state situation; yet she spent her time offering me direction, tips, pointers, pointing me to national testing lab and national organizations which may be able to provide environmental test kit and consultants in my state to help me with the vapor invasion situation at my town home. She even helped me understand a bit on everything from typical airflow of building, firewall building code, construction layout of high density residence... The information she gave me will save me hours of researching. A true rarity.”
“Prompt, thorough and efficient. Did an in-depth survey and report of findings, after our recent fire. Not someone I want to see, again, LOL. But, would highly recommend their services.”
“The UES team were honest, thorough and experts in their forensic analysis of my home environmental inspection. I highly recommend them for anyone concerned with potential mold issues in their home.”
“The owner and her team were very thorough and very knowledgeable. We've been dealing with them for a couple years now. Look no further for mold experts.”
“I highly recommend this company. I used their services on two separate occasions. The owner is awesome. The report was very comprehensive but she still took the time to review it with me by phone to ensure I had all the necessary information. The team are experts in what they do. I found them to be very knowledgeable, punctual and pleasant to work with.”
Our commitment to every Florida client
Clear, honest answers about the air you breathe and the building you live or work in.
Independent, state-licensed mold assessors and indoor air quality consultants since 2000. We test, we diagnose and we document; we never sell remediation, so the only thing our report has to serve is you.
Ultimate Environmental Solutions, Inc.
Florida licensed mold assessors · Leesburg & Orlando · Serving the entire state