Water Damage?
Do This Right Now
Your step-by-step emergency guide for the first critical hours after water damage. Acting fast can save thousands in repair costs.
Get Emergency Help NowFirst 60 Minutes Checklist
Complete these steps as quickly as possible
Turn OFF the main water supply if the leak is from plumbing
Turn OFF electricity to affected areas at the breaker — do NOT touch electrical outlets or switches if standing in water
Call your insurance company and open a claim immediately
Call a water damage restoration professional (available 24/7)
Take photos and videos of ALL damage before touching anything
Move furniture and valuables away from standing water if safe
Open windows and doors for ventilation (if weather permits)
Place aluminum foil under furniture legs to prevent carpet staining
Remove wet rugs, shoes, and items from the floor
Start a written log of damage, actions taken, and expenses
What NOT to Do
Avoid these common mistakes
- Do NOT use a regular household vacuum to remove water — it's an electrocution risk
- Do NOT enter rooms with standing water if electricity is still on
- Do NOT use electrical appliances while standing on wet surfaces
- Do NOT turn on ceiling fans if the ceiling is wet or sagging
- Do NOT attempt to remove mold yourself — it requires professional equipment
- Do NOT throw away damaged items before the insurance adjuster inspects them
- Do NOT ignore "minor" leaks — small water damage becomes major quickly
- Do NOT wait more than 24 hours to start drying — mold begins growing fast
Typical Restoration Timeline
What to expect over the next 2 weeks
Emergency Response
- Stop water source
- Turn off electricity
- Call insurance & restoration company
- Document with photos/video
Mitigation Begins
- Professional water extraction
- Move valuables to dry areas
- Industrial dehumidifiers deployed
- Antimicrobial treatment applied
Structural Drying
- Continuous air mover operation
- Daily moisture readings
- Damaged materials removed
- Adjuster inspection
Restoration & Repair
- Drywall/flooring replacement
- Painting & finishing
- Final moisture verification
- Move-back & cleanup
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