Historic homes need patient drying
In and around historic downtown Sanford, many homes are wood-frame houses built on raised foundations, with heart pine or oak floors, plaster walls and a crawl space below. These houses can last a long time, but they don't like sitting wet.
Water that comes through the floor collects in the crawl space and keeps the wood above damp. Old flooring cups as it absorbs water. We check the boards, the framing and the space underneath, and we dry steadily rather than fast, so old wood has time to settle.
Living near Lake Monroe and the river
The St. Johns is a slow river, and when heavy rain falls across its basin, the water can stay high for days or weeks. Hurricane Ian in 2022 brought flooding to parts of Central Florida, and areas along the river were slow to drain.
River and lake water is outside water. It carries dirt and bacteria, so it needs more care than a clean pipe leak. Our storm and flood cleanup page explains how we handle it.
Newer neighborhoods on slabs
Away from downtown, much of Sanford is newer block and frame homes on concrete slabs. Here the usual trouble is a washer hose, a water heater or an AC drain line. Water runs under the flooring and up into the walls. We find it with moisture readings, not guesswork.
Downtown businesses
Shops and restaurants downtown often share old buildings with apartments above. A leak upstairs reaches the business below. We contain the wet area, dry it and give you photos and readings for your records, to share with your landlord and your insurance company.