Straight answers
What we tell homeowners when they ask. No fluff, no scare tactics, just what 37 years in other people's houses teaches you.
Signs the water damage under your floor is worse than the stain suggests
A stain on the floor is often the smallest part of the problem. Here is how to tell if the damage underneath goes further than what you can see.
Read it →What to document before the insurance adjuster shows up
A few photos and a little patience before the adjuster arrives can be the difference between a fair claim and a fight.
Read it →How to catch a leaking shower pan before it hits the subfloor
A few simple checks can tell you whether your shower pan is failing before the leak reaches the framing and costs real money.
Read it →What a remodeling quote should include (and what it means when it doesn't)
A one-line quote is a guess. Here is what an itemized remodeling quote looks like, and why it protects you as much as it protects the contractor.
Read it →Water damage repairs and your insurance claim: how the rebuild actually works
After the mitigation crew leaves, the rebuild starts. Here is how the insurance side works and why the estimate format matters more than most homeowners realize.
Read it →Five signs your shower needs replacing, not another repair
Fiberglass units crack, pans flex, and caulk can only do so much. Here is how to tell when a shower is done, from a crew that has torn out plenty of them.
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