Homeowner guides · From Jeremy
What to do when water or mold shows up
Plain-English guides from years of mold and water jobs across New Hampshire. Use them to protect your home, and call or text Jeremy when you’d rather have a pro look.
Emergency guide
Burst pipe: what to do in the first 10 minutes
A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons in an hour. What you do in the first few minutes decides how much has to be torn out later.
- 1
Shut off the main water
Know where your main valve is before you need it, usually in the basement where the water line enters the house.
- 2
Stay clear of sagging ceilings
Wet drywall is heavy and can drop without warning. Turn off power to the wet area if it’s safe to reach the panel.
- 3
Call or text Jeremy, 24/7
(603) 233-3009. He’ll talk you through next steps while he’s on the way.
- 4
Take photos and video
Document the damage before anything is moved. It helps your insurance claim, and we document everything too.
Emergency guide
Flooded basement: first steps
Spring snowmelt, a failed sump pump or a burst pipe can flood a basement fast. Getting it dry in the first day or two is what keeps a flood from turning into mold.
- 1
Stay safe around the water
Don’t walk through standing water if outlets, cords or appliances are under it. Shut off power to the basement if it’s safe.
- 2
Stop the source
Shut off the water for a burst pipe, or check that the sump pump is plugged in and running.
- 3
Move what you can up and out
Get boxes, rugs and furniture off wet floors so they stop wicking water.
- 4
Call for proper drying
Fans alone usually aren’t enough. Jeremy extracts the water, measures moisture in walls and floors, and dries until the readings say it’s done.
Selling a home
The 5-point moisture check before you list
These are the spots home inspectors look at first. Catch them before the buyer’s inspection does, and there’s time to fix them on your schedule.
- 1
The attic
Look for dark staining on the roof boards, especially near bathroom fans and the eaves.
- 2
Bathroom fans
Make sure they vent outside, not into the attic, which is one of the most common causes of attic mold.
- 3
Basement walls
Brown lines or a musty smell near the floor often mean water is wicking up behind finished walls.
- 4
Sump pump & water heater
Test the sump and look for rust or drips under the water heater before they fail.
- 5
Gutters & grading
Overflowing gutters and soil sloping toward the house send rain straight to the foundation.
Selling a home
Mold in the inspection: what happens next
Mold in an inspection report sounds scary, but it usually doesn’t sink a sale. Here’s how it typically goes with Jeremy.
- 1
Day 1: send a photo
The agent or seller texts Jeremy a photo of the inspection report.
- 2
Usually same day: Jeremy looks
He comes out himself and tells everyone honestly what it needs. If it’s minor, he says so.
- 3
A day or two: written scope
A calm, plain-English scope and price both sides can read.
- 4
Before closing: done & documented
Work finished on schedule. Sellers can pay at closing, and the 3-year warranty transfers to the buyer.
Seasonal guide
Closing up a home for winter
Frozen pipes in empty homes, lake houses and vacant listings cause some of the worst water damage we see. A few minutes now saves a lot later.
- ✓Shut off the main water and drain the lines
- ✓Keep the heat on around 55°F, or fully winterize the plumbing
- ✓Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls
- ✓Clear gutters so melting snow drains away from the foundation
- ✓Leave the sump pump plugged in and running
- ✓Have someone check in after cold snaps and big storms
Seasonal guide
New Hampshire through the seasons
New England weather keeps homes guessing. Here’s what to watch for each season.
- 🌱
Spring: snowmelt & wet basements
Groundwater rises fast. Check the sump pump and look for damp spots after big melts.
- ☀️
Summer: humidity & musty basements
Run a dehumidifier in the basement and keep it emptied. Musty smells mean moisture.
- 🍂
Fall: leaves, storms & roof leaks
Clear gutters, check the roof and test the sump before winter.
- ❄️
Winter: frozen pipes & ice dams
Keep heat on, insulate exposed pipes, and watch for ice dams pushing water into ceilings.
Know the signs
3 signs to call before mold spreads
Mold rarely starts where you can see it. These are the early clues.
- 1
A musty smell
Odor usually means moisture behind walls or under flooring, even when nothing is visible.
- 2
Water that keeps coming back
Snowmelt or rain that reaches the basement every year leaves framing and drywall damp.
- 3
Stains at the base of walls
Brown or dark lines near the floor often mean water wicked up the drywall from below.
Know the signs
When a musty smell means something
Not every musty smell is a mold problem, but it’s always a moisture clue. Here’s how to narrow it down.
- ✓Smell is worst in the basement after rain? Likely groundwater or humidity
- ✓Smell near a bathroom or kitchen wall? Check for a slow plumbing leak
- ✓Smell in an upstairs closet or ceiling? Look at the attic and roof
- ✓Smell after the house sat closed up? Humidity, especially in lake homes
- ✓Not sure? Text Jeremy. He’ll use a moisture meter instead of guessing
Rather have a pro take a look?
Text Jeremy a photo. If it’s minor, he’ll tell you. Serving all of NH and the Merrimack Valley, MA.