What to do in the first 48 hours after water damage
Start with safety
Before you save anything, check for danger. Water and electricity do not mix.
- Stay out of standing water if outlets, cords or appliances may be touching it.
- If water is near the electrical panel, keep away and ask a qualified electrician for advice.
- Do not walk into a basement with deep water.
- Treat water from a sewer backup, toilet overflow or river as contaminated. Avoid contact and keep children and pets away.
- Wear boots and gloves if you must enter a damp area.
The first few hours: stop the source and document
Stop the water
Find the cause. For a burst pipe or failed supply line, shut off the main water valve. For a leaking roof, a tarp may limit further damage if it is safe to reach. For storm runoff or rising groundwater, you may not be able to stop the water, so focus on safety and moving belongings.
Photograph everything
Take photos and video of the water, the affected rooms, damaged items and the likely source. Do this before moving or throwing anything away. Write down the date and time you found the problem.
Contact your insurance company
Tell your insurer what happened and ask what it needs from you. Ask about steps it expects you to take to prevent more damage. Coverage depends on your policy and the cause, so keep your expectations open until you hear back in writing.
The rest of day one: remove what you safely can
- Lift wet rugs, towels and loose items out of the water.
- Put foil or blocks under furniture legs to keep them off wet floors.
- Move electronics, papers and keepsakes to a dry room.
- Remove small amounts of water with a mop or wet/dry vacuum made for liquids. Do not use a regular household vacuum.
- Open windows if weather and security allow, and run fans or a dehumidifier only if the power is safe.
- Set aside soaked porous items such as mattresses and upholstery for a professional opinion.
Do not rush to tear out walls or floors without photos. Removal can be needed, but it should be documented first.
Day two: get drying under way
Damp materials can start to grow mold within a few days, so drying is the main goal now. This is the point to contact local providers and request quotes.
Questions to ask a provider
- Can you describe in writing what you will do and in what order?
- How will you measure moisture, and will you share the readings?
- How many drying units and how many days do you expect?
- Is the water likely clean, gray or black, and how does that change the work?
- What would trigger added work, and how will I approve it?
Availability depends on the provider and on how many storms or floods are happening nearby. Be ready to wait if demand is high, and keep drying with fans in the meantime if it is safe.
Extra care in older houses
In a decades-old frame house, bungalow or ranch, water can travel behind plaster, under layered flooring or along old pipes. Ask whether testing is advised before demolition, since older materials may need careful handling. Tell the provider about past repairs, because patched areas can hide moisture.
What to avoid
- Do not throw out damaged items before photographing them.
- Do not sign anything under pressure.
- Be careful with large upfront payments. Ask for terms in writing.
- Do not paint or seal over damp surfaces.
- Do not ignore a musty smell. It can point to hidden moisture.
A simple recap
Stay safe, stop the source, take photos, tell your insurer, remove what you safely can and start drying. Then compare written quotes before you commit.
Related guides
What to do in the first 48 hours after water damage: questions
What is the first thing to do when I find water damage?
Check safety first. Stay away from standing water near electrical outlets or the panel, and avoid contact with water that may be contaminated. Then stop the source if you can, such as shutting off the main water valve. After that, take photos and video before moving or discarding anything.
How soon can mold start to grow?
Mold can begin to grow on damp materials within a few days, depending on temperature, humidity and what the materials are. That is why drying is urgent. If you notice a musty smell or see spots, tell your provider so they can check for hidden moisture.
Should I wait for my insurer before starting cleanup?
Tell your insurer early and ask what it requires, but do not let damage spread while you wait. Taking reasonable steps to limit damage, like stopping the source and removing standing water, is commonly expected. Document everything first and keep receipts. Coverage depends on your policy.
Reach a local provider
Questions about a wet floor, a flooded basement or an old-house leak? Send a request and a local provider in our network can follow up with next steps.
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