Water Damage: What to Do in the First 24 Hours
Stop the water source immediately
Before anything else, stop the water from flowing. Shut off the main water supply if a pipe has burst. Turn off the appliance if a dishwasher or washing machine is the source.
If the water is coming from outside, do what you can to divert it away from the structure. Every minute the water continues flowing adds to the damage. Know where your main water shutoff valve is before an emergency happens.
Document everything before cleanup
Before you move a single item or start mopping, grab your phone and take photos and video of every affected area. Capture the water level on walls, the extent of standing water, and all damaged belongings. Photograph labels on appliances, close-ups of flooring and cabinet constructionCabinet Construction Quality: Stock vs. Semi-Custom vs. CustomKitchen cabinets range from basic stock to fully custom, with enormous price differences at each level. Stock cabinets cost $75-$250 per linear foo...
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This documentation is the foundation of your insurance claim and cannot be recreated later.
Call your insurance company and a mitigation company
Report the loss to your insurance company within the first few hours. Then call a water mitigation company to begin extraction and drying. Most mitigation companies offer 24/7 emergency service.
Your policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and professional mitigation is the primary way to do that. Do not wait for the adjuster to arrive before starting mitigation.
Protect yourself and prevent further damage
Turn off electricity to affected areas if water is near outlets or appliances. Do not walk through standing water if the power is still on. Move valuable items and important documents to a dry area.
Open cabinet doors to promote air circulation. If weather is the source, place tarps or plastic sheeting over exposed openings. These steps protect your safety and show your insurer you acted responsibly.
What not to do in the first 24 hours
Do not use a household vacuum to remove water because it is an electrocution risk. Do not pull up flooring yourself because you may disturb the subfloor and make damage assessment harder. Do not throw away damaged items before photographing and documenting them.
Do not assume the damage is minor just because you cannot see it. Water travels behind walls, under floors, and into places you cannot see without professional equipment.
See how this applies to your property
Upload photos of your damage and get a detailed analysis showing exactly where your estimate may fall short.