RENO, NEVADA · WATER DAMAGE & MOLD
Reno StormGuard provides water extraction, structural drying and moisture checks for homes in Reno, NV.
24/7 emergency service available
FIND THE RIGHT SERVICE
Burst pipes, roof openings and outdoor floods reach different materials and carry different contamination risks. Their source determines what needs extraction, cleaning or removal. Choose the condition you can see below.
View all servicesWe extract standing water from flooring, carpet and pad, then assess moisture remaining inside materials.
Leaks inside walls or under sinks require checking cabinets, flooring and insulation beyond the pipe.
Thawing pipes can release water through garages, exterior walls or crawlspaces after freezing Reno nights.
Rising outdoor water leaves mud and contamination, requiring cleanup of affected surfaces and porous materials.
Basement water removal includes checking wet wall bases, soaked belongings and the source of seepage.
Water under older Reno homes can soak vapor barriers, insulation and joists without appearing upstairs.
Sewage backups require containment and controlled removal of contaminated materials before the space is dried.
Leaking water heaters, washers, dishwashers and refrigerator lines can spread moisture underneath adjacent floor coverings.
Cupped boards need moisture checks in the wood and subfloor before drying or replacement decisions.
Air movers and dehumidifiers are adjusted using documented moisture readings from drywall, framing and subfloors.
Call {{PHONE_DISPLAY}} and describe where the water came from. Mention affected rooms and unsafe conditions.
Rain, sleet or snow entering damaged roofing, windows or siding requires tracing and drying indoors.
Following hail damage, we assess interior materials reached by rain through shingles, skylights or windows.
Aging roofing, failed flashing and snow load can admit water into attic insulation and ceilings.
Backed-up meltwater beneath shingles at frozen eaves can wet wall cavities, ceiling edges and insulation.
Stains, sagging drywall and wet fixtures require assessing overhead moisture and finding the source above.
Containment, material removal and HEPA filtration address mold while the underlying moisture source is corrected.
Visible conditions and moisture readings guide investigation, with sampling when it answers a specific question.
Dark bathroom or wall-cavity growth needs assessment; mold type cannot be identified by color alone.
Growth on attic rafters and sheathing requires checking condensation, roof leaks and blocked ventilation routes.
BUILT AROUND RENO WEATHER
Most Reno precipitation falls from November through March. Freezing nights, snow and rain-on-snow events concentrate exposure during winter despite the dry climate. Exposed pipes and small roof openings can cause indoor damage without prolonged rain. Summer storms bring shorter bursts of rain and hail.
Water expands as it freezes and can split a pipe. Reno plumbing in garages, exterior walls and crawlspaces can cool while living areas stay warm. A frozen section may release water as it thaws, so stopped flow deserves attention before a puddle appears.
Snowmelt can refreeze at a cold roof edge, blocking drainage. Water backing beneath shingles can soak insulation and exterior walls. A ceiling stain near an outside wall may be the first sign; stay off icy roofs and report leaks following accumulated snow.
Snow load, wind or failed flashing can expose openings around roof vents and edges. Attic insulation may become wet before stains appear downstairs, away from the entry point. That opening needs repair alongside interior drying; painting the stain leaves wet materials above.
Rain on snow adds runoff while releasing meltwater. Truckee River and Steamboat Creek overflow or saturated ground can bring water toward foundations. Outdoor water needs a contamination assessment; avoid flooded areas and report whether it crossed the yard or seeped through walls.
Thunderstorms drive rain against windows and siding; hail can open shingles or skylights. Rain may keep entering afterward. From a safe indoor position, note fresh stains, wet window edges or dripping, and report that the leak followed hail so that route is checked.
Illustrative monthly figures · inches
Monthly bars use supplied illustrative figures, not an exact reproduction of station normals.
Annual normal and climate context: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
| Month | Precipitation |
|---|---|
| Jan | 1.3 |
| Feb | 1.1 |
| Mar | 0.7 |
| Apr | 0.5 |
| May | 0.6 |
| Jun | 0.3 |
| Jul | 0.3 |
| Aug | 0.2 |
| Sep | 0.1 |
| Oct | 0.6 |
| Nov | 0.6 |
| Dec | 0.9 |
Shading marks typical seasons.
| Water source | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen pipes | Typical season | Typical season | Typical season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Typical season | Typical season |
| Ice dams | Typical season | Typical season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Typical season |
| Snowmelt seepage | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Typical season | Typical season | Typical season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season |
| Rain-on-snow runoff | Typical season | Typical season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Typical season |
| Thunderstorms and hail | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Typical season | Typical season | Typical season | Typical season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season | Outside highlighted season |
Source: supplied seasonal pattern; local climate context. Conditions can occur outside shaded months.
Each stage addresses a part of the damage. Water conditions and affected materials determine the approach.
We identify the source, check safe access and assess what the water touched. Extraction equipment removes standing water from floors and absorbent materials. Carpet pad can remain soaked beneath a clear surface, while contaminated porous materials may need removal before drying.
Air movers release moisture from surfaces, and dehumidifiers collect it from the air. We document readings in wall bases, framing and subfloors at each visit. Reno’s dry outdoor climate does not prove enclosed materials are dry, so equipment follows those measurements.
Materials are checked for condition and moisture before the area is closed. Drying cannot repair crumbled drywall or contaminated insulation. We explain what can stay and compare affected materials with an unaffected dry reference before the work moves toward reconstruction.
Air movers carry moisture from wet surfaces into the air, where dehumidifiers remove it. Placement must account for the affected materials and enclosed spaces. A household fan cannot establish that a wall cavity is dry; material readings determine when equipment can be adjusted or removed.
How structural drying worksIdentify the source and keep clear of unsafe areas.
Stop the source and remove standing water when safe.
Wet materials should be dried to help prevent mold growth.
Mold risk rises in materials that stay wet.
Based on U.S. EPA guidance: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home.
Water is assessed by its source and what it contacted. These categories explain why cleanup may involve cleaning or controlled removal before drying.
Standard reference: IICRC S500.
Water can soak insulation and wood behind an intact painted surface. Dry room air may leave those enclosed spaces damp, particularly where insulation limits circulation. Musty smells, returning stains or visible growth warrant investigation. EPA guidance recommends drying wet materials within 24–48 hours to help prevent mold, but that does not mean every affected assembly can be saved within that period.
Reno StormGuard considers water damage and mold as connected moisture problems. An assessment follows the water’s route before containment, material removal or HEPA filtration is planned. The source also needs correction: winter condensation or a roof leak in an attic, for example, or concealed plumbing behind a bathroom wall. Paint and surface cleaning cannot establish that the framing and insulation behind them are dry.
Illustrations of water damage and cleanup conditions, from a leaking hose to a contained room.
THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
Dry drywall in an unaffected room.
Schematic only; bar heights and visits do not represent a measured job. Readings continue until they match the reference.
Our office is at 995 Forest St, Reno, NV 89509. Each home needs its own assessment. We ask about the source, affected rooms and access conditions before discussing the work.
Water behind a wall can become a mold concern after a puddle disappears. Our services consider those conditions together. Wet materials, contained removal and the source belong in the same plan.
Moisture may fall while a room looks unchanged. Documented readings at every visit allow comparisons with earlier measurements. They identify materials that remain wet and help guide changes to equipment placement.
Equipment is checked until materials reach normal moisture levels. An unaffected, comparable material provides the dry reference. This establishes a target for that material in the house, rather than a universal number.
We explain affected areas, the approach and materials needing removal before work starts. You should know why openings, barriers or equipment are proposed. Newly exposed conditions may change the plan.
Old Southwest Reno and Midtown include older homes where original plumbing and crawlspaces can conceal leaks. In newer two-story homes in South Reno, Damonte Ranch and Somersett, upstairs laundry can send water into the ceiling below. The visible wet room may be only part of the damage.
Hillside homes in Caughlin Ranch and Northwest Reno need checks along runoff routes. Around valley homes in Sun Valley and Lemmon Valley, note where water collects after snowmelt or rain. These are conditions to investigate, not assumptions about each property. We serve Reno, NV; describe the source and affected rooms when calling.
Use these checklists to organize observations safely. Do not enter standing water or open wet cavities to complete them. They help prepare a call but cannot replace an assessment.
Review safe access, shutoff locations, belongings and photographs before cleanup. Use the checklist to describe the source and rooms affected when calling, while leaving electrical hazards, sagging ceilings and contaminated water alone.
Open checklist BEFORE A FREEZING NIGHTPrepare for freezing nights by checking exposed pipes, disconnecting hoses and locating the main shutoff. Review garages, exterior-wall cabinets and crawlspace access from safe positions, including what to consider if a pipe freezes.
Open checklist AFTER A LEAKReview musty odors, recurring stains, condensation and visible spots after a leak. The checker organizes observations for a moisture investigation. It does not identify mold types or health conditions; results are general guidance, not testing.
Open checkerKeep people away from standing water, wet electrical equipment and sagging ceilings. Close the water supply only if the valve can be reached from a dry, safe position; do not cross water to reach a breaker. From a safe area, note where the water started and which rooms are affected. Call with those details and avoid disturbing materials that may be contaminated.
Drying often takes several days, but the duration depends on the material, how deeply it became wet and whether water is trapped inside an assembly. A dry-feeling room may have damp framing or subflooring. We compare moisture readings with suitable dry materials and adjust equipment as conditions change. The EPA’s early drying guidance is a prevention target, not a completion guarantee.
Mold can grow when moisture stays in drywall, wood, insulation or other materials after a leak. EPA guidance recommends drying wet areas and items within 24–48 hours to help prevent growth. That is a reason to address trapped water early, rather than wait for visible spots. Recurring stains or a musty smell should prompt a moisture investigation despite a dry surface.
Disconnect outdoor hoses, protect exposed plumbing and keep the home heated while traveling. Check pipes in garages, crawlspaces and exterior walls because those spaces can cool faster than living areas. Know how to reach the main shutoff before freezing weather. If a pipe stops flowing, avoid open flames and watch for leaking as it thaws; a frozen section may be split.
Extraction equipment removes water from floors and absorbent materials. Air movers help moisture leave wet surfaces, while dehumidifiers collect it from the air. Moisture meters check materials to adjust equipment using readings rather than appearance. The equipment and any containment depend on the water source, contamination and access to wet areas, including cavities that cannot be dried from the room alone.
Reno StormGuard handles interior water damage following wind-driven rain, hail-related openings, roof leaks and rising outdoor water. Tell us how the water entered and whether the building still has an exposed opening. Stormwater entering through roofing requires a different assessment from floodwater carrying soil into a lower room. The entry point must be addressed alongside cleanup so the affected space does not keep becoming wet.
24/7 emergency service available
Call with the water source, affected rooms and any safety concerns so we can explain the extraction and drying work your home may need.
