Old Ocoee and new Ocoee
Around Starke Lake and the older part of town, you'll find block homes that have stood for decades, some with older plumbing and original fixtures. Spread out from there are newer subdivisions with two-story homes, upstairs laundry rooms and attic air handlers.
Each brings its own risks. Older pipes and water heaters tend to fail. In newer two-story homes, a leak upstairs soaks the ceiling insulation below and can hide there for days.
Slabs hide the water
Nearly every home in Ocoee sits on a concrete slab. Water runs across the slab under tile, laminate and carpet pad, then climbs into baseboards and the bottom of the drywall. From above, it can look like the leak stayed in one room.
We map the wet area with moisture readings so we dry what's actually wet. That's how you avoid a musty smell showing up two weeks later.
Storms off the lakes
With Lake Apopka to the north and smaller lakes around town, Ocoee gets its share of summer downpours and the occasional tropical system. Heavy rain can collect in low yards and find its way under doors. If outside water came in, our storm and flood cleanup page explains what we do differently.
Florida humidity sets the clock
Our air rarely gets dry enough for a house to dry itself. Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of a leak, and in summer that clock runs fast. Getting the water out and the dehumidifiers running on day one usually means less has to be removed.
We check readings every visit and keep the equipment running until the walls and floors are back to normal. Then you get the numbers and photos for your records.