1. Shut off the main water valve (turn clockwise for gate valves, perpendicular to the pipe for ball valves — located where the water supply enters your home). 2. Turn off electricity to affected areas at the breaker panel if you can reach it safely without standing in water. 3. Call (888) 450-0858 for immediate emergency extraction. Then come back to this checklist. For pipe-specific emergency steps, see our burst pipe emergency guide.
The actions you take — and the actions you avoid — in the first 24 hours after discovering water damage have an outsized impact on the final restoration cost, the amount of your property that can be saved versus replaced, and whether mold becomes a secondary problem weeks later. This checklist walks you through each critical hour with specific actions, in priority order.
Do not walk through standing water if you cannot confirm the electricity is off in the affected area. Water above outlet height (12 to 18 inches) with energized circuits creates electrocution risk. If you cannot safely reach the breaker panel, call your utility company's emergency line. Do not enter rooms with sagging ceilings — a waterlogged ceiling can collapse with hundreds of pounds of force. If the water is from a flood or sewage source, wear rubber boots and gloves at minimum — floodwater is Category 3 contaminated.
For pipe breaks: shut off the main water valve. For appliance failures: unplug the appliance and turn off its dedicated supply valve (typically behind or beside the unit). For roof leaks: place containers to catch active drips and move contents away from the leak path. For sewage backup: do not use any fixtures in the home — additional water use can worsen the backup. Stopping the source is the single most time-critical action because every minute of continued flow expands the damage geometrically.
Do not spend the first hour attempting DIY extraction. A shop vacuum removes 2 to 5 gallons per minute. A professional truck-mounted unit removes 50 to 200+ gallons per minute. The 30 to 60 minutes you spend attempting DIY extraction is time the water continues migrating into wall cavities, subfloor materials, and beneath cabinetry — expanding the scope of professional work that will ultimately be required. Call an IICRC-certified emergency restoration company as your second action after stopping the source. Target: crew on-site within 60 minutes.
This is for your insurance claim — and it must happen before the restoration crew begins extraction, because extraction changes the scene. Photograph the water source (if identifiable), the standing water level against walls and furniture for reference, all affected rooms from doorway angles, all damaged contents, and any visible wall or ceiling damage. Record a narrated video walkthrough stating the date, time of discovery, and what you observe. This documentation is the foundation of your claim file.
While waiting for the restoration crew, move small valuables, electronics, documents, and photographs above the water line or into dry rooms. Do not attempt to move heavy furniture through standing water — this risks personal injury and can damage wet flooring. Place aluminum foil or plastic under the legs of furniture sitting in water to prevent staining on carpet or hardwood. If the water is from a clean source (Category 1), fabrics and soft goods can likely be saved if dried within 48 hours. If the water is Category 2 or 3, contaminated porous items may not be salvageable — but let the restoration crew make that determination.
Notify your insurance carrier's claims line within 24 hours of discovery. Most policies require prompt notification. Request a claim number and the assigned adjuster's contact information. Confirm your deductible amount. Ask whether your carrier requires use of a preferred vendor or allows you to choose your own restoration company. Confirm your policy includes coverage for the type of water damage you experienced — standard HO-3 policies cover sudden pipe breaks but may not cover sewer backup without an endorsement. See our insurance claims guide for the complete filing process.
Once the restoration crew arrives, the sequence follows IICRC S500 protocols: moisture assessment with FLIR thermal imaging, water extraction with truck-mounted equipment, material assessment (restore vs. replace decisions), and drying equipment placement. By hour 24, extraction should be complete and structural drying underway. The crew will return daily for moisture monitoring. For a detailed walkthrough of what each phase involves, see our restoration process guide. For expected timelines by damage class, see our restoration timeline guide.
| Mistake | Why It's Harmful | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Using a household vacuum on water | Standard vacuums are not rated for water and pose electrocution risk. Even wet-dry shop vacuums are far too slow to prevent ongoing damage. | Call a professional with truck-mounted extraction equipment. |
| Using bleach on wet materials | Bleach does not kill mold on porous materials (it only treats the surface), adds moisture, and produces toxic fumes in enclosed spaces. | Leave antimicrobial treatment to the restoration crew. |
| Turning on the home HVAC system | The HVAC system can spread contaminated moisture and mold spores to unaffected areas of the home through the ductwork. | Wait until the restoration crew assesses whether HVAC use is safe. |
| Disposing of damaged materials before documentation | Your insurance adjuster needs to see and document the damage before materials are removed. Premature disposal can result in claim denial for those items. | Photograph everything. Keep all damaged materials until the adjuster inspects. |
| Waiting until morning to address a nighttime water event | 8 hours of delay can expand a Class 1 loss to Class 2, allow mold colonization to begin, and double the restoration scope and cost. | Call immediately — restoration companies operate 24/7. |
| Only drying what you can see | Water migrates into wall cavities, under flooring, and behind cabinetry. Surface drying without professional moisture assessment leaves hidden moisture that causes mold growth weeks later. | Insist on FLIR thermal imaging to map the full extent of moisture migration. See signs of hidden water damage. |
Industry data consistently shows that professional restoration beginning within 4 hours of a water event costs 40 to 60% less than restoration beginning 24+ hours later — for the same initial water event. The difference is not the extraction (which costs roughly the same regardless of timing) but the scope of material replacement: drywall that could have been dried in place at hour 4 must be removed and replaced at hour 24. Carpet that was salvageable at hour 4 is contaminated at hour 24 as Category 1 water degrades to Category 2. The fastest route to the lowest total cost is always immediate professional response.
Stop the water source if you can do so safely (shut off the main water valve for pipe breaks, turn off the appliance for dishwasher or washing machine failures), and call an IICRC-certified restoration professional immediately. Do not spend the first hour mopping or using a shop vacuum — consumer equipment cannot match the extraction rate of professional truck-mounted units, and every minute spent on ineffective DIY extraction is a minute the water continues migrating into wall cavities and subfloor materials. While waiting for the crew to arrive, move small valuables and electronics above the water line, and take photographs of all visible damage for your insurance claim.
If you can reach your electrical panel safely without standing in water, turn off the breakers for all affected areas. If the water is above electrical outlet height (typically 12 to 18 inches above the floor) or if you must walk through standing water to reach the panel, do not attempt it — call your utility company's emergency line or 911 and ask them to disconnect power. Water conducts electricity, and energized outlets, wiring, or appliances submerged in water create a real electrocution hazard. Once the restoration crew arrives, they will verify electrical safety before beginning extraction work.
For most Category 1 and Category 2 water damage affecting less than about 30% of the home, you can remain in the home during restoration. The drying equipment — LGR dehumidifiers and air movers — produces significant noise (comparable to a loud fan running continuously) but is not hazardous. For Category 3 black water damage (sewage backup, flooding), extensive damage affecting the majority of the home, or any situation where mold has already begun to colonize, temporary relocation may be recommended or required. Most homeowner insurance policies include Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage that pays for hotel, meals, and other displacement costs during covered restoration work.
Documentation should begin immediately — before any cleanup starts. Take photographs and video from multiple angles showing the water source (if identifiable), the standing water level, all affected rooms, damage to walls and flooring, and all damaged contents. Record a narrated video walkthrough stating the date, time of discovery, and what you observe. Keep a written timeline of events: when you discovered the damage, when you shut off the water, when you called the restoration company, when the crew arrived. Save all receipts for emergency expenses (hotel, meals, replacement necessities). Do not dispose of any damaged materials until both the restoration company and your insurance adjuster have documented them. Your restoration company will generate Xactimate-format documentation that aligns with your insurer's pricing database — see our insurance claims guide for the complete filing process.
Every hour of delay increases damage, cost, and mold risk. Call now for immediate help from an IICRC-certified restoration professional.