Water Damage RepairThat Starts After It's Dry

Expect drywall sections, insulation, baseboard and paint. Flooring ranges from a few boards to a whole room, and ceilings often need patching and sealing before paint will cover a stain. Roof and exterior openings get fixed first, since new interior work will not survive another leak.

Older homes rarely have standard parts. Plaster may be patched with new plaster, or with drywall skimmed to match. Trim profiles can be milled to order, and wide boards may need salvaging from a closet. Ask about this early, because matching materials can take time to find. In a building from before 1978, lead-safe work practices may apply to any paid job that disturbs paint.

This is the moment for a last look. Check that the plumbing or roof fix has held through at least one real test, that insulation is dry and replaced, and that any mold has been dealt with. Photograph the open walls too. Those photos are useful later, and they show a future buyer or insurer what was done.