After The Flood

The water is gone. Now come the questions.

Can the floors be saved? What's happening behind the cabinets? Is the house actually dry? And does everything really need to be torn out?

Water damage can turn an ordinary homeowner into a reluctant project manager overnight. Suddenly, you're sorting through contractor estimates, moisture readings, insurance paperwork, and conflicting advice while trying to get your life back.

In After the Flood: A Homeowner's Guide to Water Damage, Cleanup, and Knowing What Can Be Saved, stone and tile forensic consultant Frederick M. Hueston helps you understand the decisions ahead.

Whether the damage began with a burst pipe, leaking appliance, sewer backup, or rising floodwater, this practical guide explains what to ask, what to document, and when qualified help is needed.

Inside, you'll learn about:

• Immediate safety concerns and the first steps after discovering water damage.

• Photographing damage and organizing records before evidence disappears.

• Moisture testing, drying equipment, and the limits of surface appearances.

• Evaluating carpet, wood, laminate, vinyl, tile, natural stone, cabinets, and subfloors.

• Mold, lingering odors, and cleanup claims that deserve closer examination.

• Hiring contractors, comparing proposals, and organizing insurance questions.

• Establishing readiness for rebuilding and investigating problems that return.

Checklists, recovery forms, a plain-language glossary, and homeowner resources help you keep track of the work and the questions still needing answers.

Drawing on more than 40 years in the stone and tile industry, Hueston brings clear explanations, practical examples, and a little humor to an experience nobody volunteers for.

You don't have to become a restoration expert. You do deserve to understand what's happening to your home.