What to Do Before the Restoration Provider Arrives

What you do in the first hour after water damage starts can limit how far it spreads. The FEMA and EPA both provide guidance on responding to water damage and flooding.

If there is immediate danger to life, health, or safety, call 911 or your local emergency services first.

• Electricity: If water is near outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel, turn off power to the affected area if you can do so safely. If you cannot, stay out of the water.
• Water source: If the source is a plumbing leak and you can reach the main shut-off, turn it off. If it is a supply line under a sink or appliance, shut that valve.
• Stay out of contaminated water: If the water may be sewage (Category 3), do not wade into it. See our water categories guide.

• Move belongings: Lift furniture, rugs, and electronics off wet flooring and out of the affected area.
• Soak up what you can: Towels, a mop, or a wet/dry shop vac can remove surface water — but only if the water is clean (Category 1).
• Contain it: Put barriers (towels, plastic sheeting) at doorways to keep water from spreading to adjacent rooms.
• Do not use your home vacuum: Household vacuums are not rated for water and present a shock risk.

Before a provider arrives, photograph and video the source, the standing water, and every affected room. Note the time the damage started. Save receipts for any out-of-pocket mitigation. See our guide to documenting damage for a claim.

Call our 24/7 request line and we'll route your details to an available local provider. The sooner you call, the sooner a provider can begin extraction and drying — and the EPA recommends drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to reduce the chance of mold. See our how it works page.

We are a referral service. We connect you with an independent local provider who handles the assessment and all restoration work — we do not perform the work ourselves.

• Do not wade into Category 3 (sewage) water — it is contaminated.
• Do not use a household vacuum cleaner on water.
• Do not start demolition before photographing the damage.
• Do not wait to call — mold can begin within 24 to 48 hours.
• Do not assume your insurer will cover it — report and document promptly.