Q: Question about flooding and mold

asked by on February 23, 2017

Hey there! Long story but end result is after a lot of rain, the inside of my Matrix started flooding on the passenger side floor only. Usually this just results in a tiny pool of water, and when it got REALLY bad, considerably more water pooling. I cleaned up the majority, but there's still much more underneath the car's carpet that is inaccessible to me.

Cleaning this is going to be very problematic... and potentially expensive. The main reason I haven't yet (its been weeks) is because I don't have much money.

Now - all this notwithstanding - my main question RIGHT NOW is merely how long will it take for things to get moldy and disgusting? (moreso) I know that's something I have to take care of.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Hesitation at RPMs lower than 2000
The vehicle may have unmetered air entering the engine, which is air entering the tubes between the mass airflow sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-mass-airflow-sensor) and the throttle body (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-throttle-body). If there are no leaks, then the fuel trims in the data would need...
AC problem on a '97 Isuzu Rodeo
That thing is almost 20 years old. It's 19 years old and it probably just needs refrigerant. You'll need to evacuate all the old refrigerant out, so you've got to have a recycling machine. Then you would put a factory...
Key and steering wheel have to be moved to start the car
Hello there, thanks for writing in about your 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK430. There are many possible causes for this fault. The most common would be a failing key cylinder (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-ignition-lock-cylinder), steering wheel lock (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-a-good-quality-steering-wheel-lock), or ignition switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-switch-replacement). I recommend having...
Expired registration and inspection
Hello. It appears that a NYS inspection is required in order to renew the registration, so it would appear that, yes, you can get an NYS inspection with an expired registration. I would recommend taking it to the nearest inspection...
what size is my serpentine belt - 2003 Dodge Dakota
Hello. According to my resources, the serpentine belt size for your vehicle with the 3.9 liter engine is 97.3 inches long and 0.96 inches wide. The belt should also have seven grooves in it. The Dayco part number for this...
Heater blows cold.
Hi there. Leak stopper should only be used in emergency situations as it usually causes more problems than it "fixes". It sounds like the leak stopper may have settled in your heater core and is preventing the proper amount of...
VSC TRAC, TRAC, AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO ABS LIGHT NO CODES
Following up on your previous question, in your circumstance the required scan tool is the factory Toyota scan tool. Although there "might" be aftermarket OBD-II scan tools, I doubt they would have the capability of the factory tool that is...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Toyota Corolla
Not Not only does the 2012 Toyota Corolla continue to be one of the best-selling compact sedans in the United States, but it also continues to maintain very high resale values. If you want a car that you’ll get your...
2012 Chevrolet Impala vs. 2012 Toyota Camry: Which One Should I Buy?
In the battle for the family vehicle, the 4-door sedan is a strong contender that just continues to be a viable option even with the rise of the crossover SUV and the popularity of passenger vans. These sedans offer a...
How to Drive a Prius in the Winter
Driving Driving during extreme weather conditions brings its own challenges. For example, snow and ice can make roads slippery, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicles. It can also be hard to stop when the roads are too slick....