Water Damage Emergency:
Act in the First 60 Minutes
The decisions you make right now determine how much this costs, how fast you recover, and whether your insurance claim succeeds. This guide covers the exact sequence of actions.
What to Do Right Now
Water Damage Emergency: 5 Steps in the First 60 Minutes
- 1Shut off the main water supply — Stop the water source immediately — every second adds more damage.
- 2Cut power to wet areas — Flip circuit breakers for rooms with standing water before entering.
- 3Document all damage — Video and photograph everything before moving anything — critical for your insurance claim.
- 4Call a restoration company (not a plumber) — They extract water, set drying equipment, and document for your insurer simultaneously.
- 5Open an insurance claim — Call your insurer immediately — emergency extraction doesn't need to wait for adjuster approval.
The Emergency Timeline
- Locate and close your main water shutoff valve (usually near the water meter, under a sink, or in a utility room)
- If flooding is near electrical panels, outlets, or appliances — do NOT enter without cutting power at the breaker
- If you smell gas, evacuate immediately and call your gas company
- If sewage is involved, leave the area — Category 3 water contains pathogens that require PPE
- Take video walking through the entire affected area — narrate what you see
- Photograph standing water from multiple angles, showing depth if possible
- Photograph the source of water (broken pipe, open window, damaged roof)
- Photograph all damaged furniture, flooring, walls, and personal property
- Do NOT move or discard anything yet — adjusters need to see it
- Call a certified restoration company: (888) 840-6512 — a plumber stops the leak, a restoration company dries the structure
- Call your insurance company to open a claim — get a claim number before any contractor starts work
- Tell both parties the water category: clean (pipe), gray (appliance), or black (sewage/flood)
- Confirm the restoration company's IICRC certification and licensing before authorizing work
- Move important documents, medications, and irreplaceable items to a dry area
- Place aluminum foil under furniture legs to prevent rust stains on wet carpet
- Remove soaked rugs from hardwood floors (trapped water accelerates warping)
- Do not use household fans if sewage or gray/black water is present
- Track all expenses starting now — hotel, meals, emergency supplies — for your claim
Critical Dos and Don'ts
DO These Things
- Shut off the main water supply immediately
- Cut power to affected areas at the breaker panel
- Photograph and video ALL damage before moving anything
- Move important documents, medications, and valuables to dry areas
- Call a restoration company (not just a plumber)
- Call your insurance company to open a claim
- Open windows if outside humidity is low (speeds evaporation)
- Remove soaked throw rugs and mats from hard flooring
DON'T Do These
- Don't use electrical appliances in wet areas
- Don't run a regular vacuum on water
- Don't use fans if sewage or Category 3 water is involved (spreads contamination)
- Don't dispose of any damaged items before your adjuster sees them
- Don't apply bleach to drywall (it won't penetrate, and insurance may dispute coverage)
- Don't wait 'to see if it dries on its own'
- Don't sign Assignment of Benefits forms without reading (Florida homeowners especially)
- Don't hire contractors who knock on your door after a storm without researching them first
Happening right now?
Pick the situation you are in
Each one is the exact first hour for that emergency: what to shut off, what not to touch, what to photograph, and who to call in which order.
- Basement Flooded Right Now?Basement Flooding Emergency — Act in the Next 60 Minutes
- Burst Pipe EmergencyPipe Burst — Shut Off Water and Call Restoration Now
- Sewage Backup EmergencySewage in Your Home — Category 3 Biohazard Response
- Ceiling Water Damage EmergencyWater Stain or Active Leak in Your Ceiling — Who to Call
- Appliance Leak EmergencyWashing Machine, Dishwasher, or Water Heater Leak — Stop the Water Now
- Attic Leak EmergencyWater in Your Attic — Roof Leak Emergency Response
- Slab Leak EmergencySlab Leak Detected — Emergency Steps Before Foundation Damage
- Frozen Pipe Burst EmergencyFrozen Pipe Burst — Thaw and Dry Before Mold Starts
- Storm Flooding EmergencyStorm Flooding in Your Home — FEMA, Insurance, and Safety
- Septic Backup EmergencySeptic System Backup — Category 3 Biohazard Response
- Kitchen Flooding EmergencyKitchen Flooding — Stop the Source and Act in the Next 30 Minutes
- Bathroom Water Damage EmergencyBathroom Flooding — Toilet Overflow, Shower Leak, Supply Line Break
- Ice Dam Roof Leak EmergencyIce Dam Leaking Into Your Home — Attic, Ceiling, and Wall Damage
- Upstairs Neighbor Flooded Your UnitNeighbor's Flood Came Through Your Ceiling — Rights, Claims, and Next Steps
- Laundry Room Flooded?Washer Drain Overflowed and Flooded the Laundry Room — What to Do Now
Ready to Connect You With Local Pros
Our line is answered 24/7 by real people — not bots. We'll connect you with the nearest IICRC-certified company, and they confirm an arrival window for your address on the call.
(888) 840-6512Free · No obligation · IICRC-certified pros only
24/7 Emergency Response
We connect you with pros available around the clock — nights, weekends, and holidays.
IICRC-Certified Pros
Referrals go to restoration professionals working to IICRC standards (S500 water, S520 mold).
Ask for License and Insurance
Referred contractors are expected to hold state licensing and liability insurance — ask for both before work starts.
No-Obligation Consultation
Call anytime. Describe the damage, get pointed at the right trade, decide afterwards.
Emergency Response Questions
Should I call a plumber or a restoration company first?
A restoration company. Restoration pros extract water, set drying equipment, and document damage for your insurer — all while coordinating with a plumber if needed. Calling only a plumber stops the source but leaves you with standing water and no documentation.
Can I stay in my home during water damage restoration?
For clean water (Category 1) events, yes — with caution around wet areas. For sewage backup or Category 3 (flood) events, your family should vacate until decontamination is complete. Your restoration team will advise on habitability.
What if I can't afford professional restoration?
Call your insurer immediately — most water damage events are covered. If uninsured, FEMA assistance may apply after declared disasters. Restoration companies also work directly with insurers on payment. Never let cost prevent you from calling in the first hour — delays cost far more.
What documents do I need for an insurance claim?
Photograph and video everything before touching anything: standing water depth, damaged furniture, affected walls and ceilings, the source of water, and any visible mold. Keep all damaged items until your adjuster visits. Track every expense — hotel, food, emergency repairs.
Who do I call right now for water damage?
Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area. Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — the more specific you are, the faster the right company is on the line.
If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first. Have four things ready and the call goes quickly: the address, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have filed an insurance claim.
Still not sure which of these is your situation? (888) 840-6512 · toll-free · answered 24/7
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent informational resource. This guide is for general educational purposes and does not constitute professional safety, medical, or legal advice. Always contact emergency services (911) if there is immediate safety risk. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property.