WATER DAMAGE
MOLD REMEDIATION
RESIDENTIAL
CATEGORY 2
Slow Leak Behind Stacked Washer/Dryer Cincinnati, OH
A long-running supply line leak behind a stacked washer/dryer unit in this Cincinnati, OH home went undetected until a moisture inspection revealed meter-maxing readings in the bathroom wall and confirmed heavy black mold growth in the concealed chase behind the appliances. What appeared to be a minor plumbing issue had saturated the bathroom wall assembly and allowed mold to establish on the drywall and concrete block throughout the hidden cavity.
LOCATION
Cincinnati, OH
Total Affected Area
~90 sq ft
CAUSE OF LOSS
Slow Supply Line Leak
RESPONSE TIME
Within 59 Minutes
PROJECT OVERVIEW
WHAT HAPPENED
A slow, undetected supply line leak behind a stacked LG washer/dryer unit in this Cincinnati, OH home had been saturating the surrounding wall cavity over an extended period — by the time H2O Restoration arrived on-site, the bathroom wall adjacent to the laundry closet was reading 999 on the pinless moisture meter, paint was visibly blistering and bubbling along the wall surface, the tub surround caulk had failed with black mold present at the seam, and the concealed chase directly behind the appliances revealed extensive black mold growth covering the drywall, concrete block, and floor slab, with active moisture staining running down to the base of the wall throughout the hidden space.
The visible damage — blistered paint and a failed tub caulk line — represented only the surface expression of a much larger hidden loss. The mold-affected chase behind the washer/dryer had never been accessible during routine cleaning or inspection, allowing the growth to establish extensively on both drywall and masonry before it was discovered.
JOB DETAILS
- Cause of loss
- Water Category
- Mold Confirmed
- Flooring Type
- Appliances at Risk
- Insurance support
Affected Spaces — From Floor Plan
- Bathroom
- Laundry Chase / Closet
- Hallway Baseboard
- Mold Scope
- Wall Condition
- Total Affected
EQUIPMENT DEPLOYED
LGR dehumidifier
HEPA air scrubber
Compact air movers
Pinless moisture meters
Containment barriers
Negative air pressure
Antimicrobial treatment
Moisture mapping documentation
JOB SITE IMAGES
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DAMAGE
Our process
Work completed
1
On-site assessment & source identification
Crew arrived within 59 minutes and began a full moisture survey. The bathroom wall registered 999 on the pinless meter — at or above the readable limit — and a reading of 180 was detected at the hallway baseboard, confirming the moisture had already migrated beyond the primary loss area. The stacked washer/dryer unit was pulled out to expose the chase, where the supply line leak source was identified and the full extent of mold growth documented.
2
Containment setup & mold protection
HEPA-filtered containment barriers were installed around the mold-affected chase area. Negative air pressure was established to prevent cross-contamination to the living spaces during remediation work. Full PPE protocols were maintained throughout. The bathroom was sealed at the doorway to isolate the work zone.
3
Mold remediation — drywall, masonry & slab
All mold-affected drywall within the chase was removed and properly disposed of. The concrete block walls and floor slab — which showed active mold growth and moisture staining — were wire-brushed, HEPA-vacuumed, and treated with EPA-registered antimicrobial solution. The failed tub caulk seam with visible mold was also addressed as part of the scope. All remediated surfaces were documented with before-and-after photography.
4
Structural drying — bathroom wall & hallway
LGR dehumidifiers and compact air movers were deployed to dry the bathroom wall assembly and adjacent hallway baseboard area. Readings were logged daily at all monitoring points. The goal was to bring all surfaces down to IICRC S500 dry standard before any reconstruction work began, preventing secondary mold growth in the wall cavity.
5
Full insurance documentation & scope submission
A complete moisture mapping report, photo documentation of all mold-affected surfaces, before-and-after readings, and a detailed adjuster scope were submitted to the carrier. The documentation captured the hidden nature of the loss — including the concealed mold growth that would not have been visible without pulling the appliances — ensuring the claim reflected the full remediation and reconstruction scope.
H2O Restoration handles both mitigation and full reconstruction — including drywall, tile, caulk, and paint — so you work with one team from the first call through the final walkthrough.
"I noticed some bubbling paint in the bathroom and figured it was just old paint or humidity. Didn't think much of it until I mentioned it to a friend and they said to get it checked. Really glad I did. When H2O came out and pulled the washer away from the wall, it was way worse than I ever would have guessed. Mold everywhere back there. They handled everything — the mold, the drying, getting it documented for insurance. Super professional and they kept me informed the whole time. Don't wait on something like this."
Worried About Hidden Water Damage or Mold in Greater Cincinnati?
H2O Restoration responds 24/7 across Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and surrounding communities — on-site in 59 minutes or less. We find what you can't see, document everything, and handle the insurance so you don't have to.
CALL: (513) 909-6540