Key facts: What to do after water damage
- Drying should begin early enough to meet the EPA's 24 to 48 hour target for wet materials [1].
- Floodwater can carry sewage and chemicals; wear protective gear and wash hands after contact [2].
- Never run a generator or gas pump indoors or in a garage because of carbon monoxide [3].
- Homeowners policies generally exclude flood; flood coverage is a separate policy [4].
First hour
The first hour: safety and stopping the water
Nothing on this list involves cleanup yet. Safety and source first.
- 1
Check for electrical danger
If water is near outlets, cords, appliances or the electrical panel, do not walk through it. Turn off power at the main breaker from a dry spot, or call the utility to disconnect it.
- 2
Smell gas? Leave
If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside. Do not switch anything on or off.
- 3
Stop the source
For a pipe or appliance leak, close the main water valve, usually where the line enters the basement or crawlspace. For a roof leak, put buckets under drips. For a backup, stop running water in the house.
- 4
Get people and pets clear
Keep children and pets away from the water, especially if it came from a drain, the sewer or outside.
First day
The first day: photos, calls and protecting what you can
Once the water has stopped and the house is safe, document before you clean. Take wide photos of each affected room, then close-ups of damage, the water line on walls and furniture, and the source: the split pipe, the failed hose, the flooded window well or the floor drain. Short videos walking through each room help too. These photos are the foundation of an insurance claim and help the contractor understand how the water spread.
Then call your insurer to report the loss, and ask what they need from you. Write down the claim number and the name of the person you spoke to. Next, call for restoration. Calling this site connects you with an independent local contractor who can explain extraction and drying on the call. If a plumber is needed for the source, call one too.
While you wait, protect what you can safely move. Lift rugs, carry boxes and small furniture to a dry area, put foil or wood blocks under furniture legs on wet carpet, and take photographs and important papers upstairs. Do not try to lift wall-to-wall carpet that is still attached; it is heavy, and the tack strip is sharp.
Who to call
Who to call, and for what
Different parts of a water loss involve different people.
| Call | When | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| Electric or gas utility | Water near the panel, or you smell gas | Make the service safe |
| Plumber | A pipe, fixture, water heater or drain line failed | Repair the source |
| Restoration contractor | Water reached floors, walls, ceilings or a basement | Extract, dry, clean and document |
| Your insurer | As soon as the house is safe | Open a claim and explain coverage |
| Landlord or manager | You rent | Arrange building repairs |
| City sewer department | A backup during rain or several neighbors affected | Check the public line |
Days two to seven
The first week: drying, decisions and records
Drying should be well under way within the first day or two, because the EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold [1]. Expect the contractor to extract water, map moisture, remove materials that block drying or cannot be saved, and set air movers and dehumidifiers. They will usually come back regularly to take readings and adjust equipment. Our guide on how long drying takes explains what affects the timeline.
This is also when decisions start. Which items are kept or discarded, whether drywall can stay (see wet drywall: save or replace), and whether water was clean or contaminated (see water damage categories). Keep a simple list of everything you discard, with photos, and keep receipts for anything you buy to protect the house or for temporary housing.
Avoid
Common mistakes in the first days
- Waiting to see if it driesSurfaces dry first; framing, subfloor and concrete do not. Waiting invites mold.
- Running the HVAC system blindlyIf water reached ducts or the furnace, have them checked first.
- Using a household vacuumOnly wet-dry vacuums are made for water, and they will not reach water in carpet pad.
- Running gas equipment insideGenerators and gas pumps produce carbon monoxide; keep them outdoors and away from windows [3].
- Throwing things out before photosYour insurer may need to see damaged items or photos of them.
- Touching floodwater without protectionWear gloves and boots, and wash thoroughly afterward [2].
Insurance note
A quick word on coverage
Coverage depends on the source. Sudden plumbing failures are often covered by homeowners policies. Water that rises from outside as flooding is generally excluded and needs separate flood insurance [4]. Sewer and drain backups are often covered only with an add-on. Ask your insurer which applies, and read our guide to working with your insurance adjuster.
Kansas situations
How the first steps change for common Kansas situations
After a spring storm floods the basement, check the sump pump and its power before anything else, and keep gas-powered pumps outside. After a January pipe burst, close the main valve, open a low faucet to drain the lines and keep the heat on so other pipes do not freeze while the house dries. After a floor drain backup, stop using water in the house altogether, because every flush or load of laundry adds to the problem. And after hail, check ceilings, closets and the attic as well as the roof, since water often travels before it shows. Whatever the situation, the order stays the same: safety, source, photos, calls, drying.
FAQ
First-steps questions
Should I turn off the electricity after water damage?
If water is near outlets, appliances or the panel, yes, from a dry spot or by calling the utility. Never wade into water to reach the panel.
Can I start cleaning before the adjuster comes?
You can and should take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as stopping the water and starting drying. Photograph everything first and keep receipts.
How fast do I need to act?
Within a day or two for drying to start. The EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours.
Is it safe to stay home?
Usually, if power and gas are safe, the water was clean and the affected area can be closed off. Stay elsewhere if sewage is involved or anyone is vulnerable.
Do I need a plumber or a restorer first?
If water is still coming in from a pipe or fixture, close the main valve and call a plumber for the repair. Call a restorer at the same time for the water already in the house; the two jobs run side by side.
What if I find the water days later?
Follow the same order, but expect more removal and assume the water may now be contaminated. Wear gloves, photograph everything, and tell your insurer and the contractor when you think it started.