The first two days
What happens in the first 48 hours after a leak mostly decides whether you end up with a drying job or a mold job.
Right away: stop the water if you can. Shut off the main or the fixture valve. Turn off power to wet areas if it’s safe to do so. Take photos and video before you move anything.
Same day: get standing water out and start moving air. Pull up wet rugs. Call your insurance company and a water damage or mold company.
Day one and two: the company measures moisture in walls, floors and framing, sets up drying equipment, and removes materials that won’t dry well, like soaked drywall, carpet pad and insulation. They should keep checking readings until the materials are dry.
Spokane’s usual causes
Cold snaps freeze pipes in exterior walls, unheated garages and crawl spaces. Ice dams form along the eaves when heat escapes into the attic and melts snow on the roof, and the meltwater backs up under the shingles into ceilings and walls. In spring, snowmelt finds every low spot along the foundation. Add the everyday ones too: water heaters, washing machine hoses, dishwasher lines and toilet supply lines.
When mold is already there
If the leak was slow and you’re only finding it now, there’s a good chance mold is already growing. Then the work includes containment and removal along with drying. The black mold removal page explains what that looks like.