Whether it's a burst pipe, a failed water heater or a storm that pushed water into the basement, the first day after water damage shapes how much of your home you can save. Wet drywall, carpet pad and subfloors keep absorbing water, and mold can begin to grow on damp materials within 24 to 48 hours. Here's what to do, in order.
1. Make the area safe
If water has reached outlets, cords or appliances, or if you see standing water near the electrical panel, don't walk into it. Shut off power to the affected area at the panel only if you can reach it without stepping in water; otherwise call the utility. Watch for sagging ceilings, which can hold a surprising amount of water and collapse. If the water came from a sewer backup or outside flooding, treat it as contaminated and keep children and pets away.
2. Stop the water
For a plumbing leak, close the main water shut-off valve. It's usually where the water line enters the house, often in the basement or a utility room, near the meter. For an appliance, close its supply valve. Leaking washing machine hoses, dishwasher supply lines and refrigerator ice-maker lines are some of the most common sources of indoor water damage; once the water is off and the area is dry, an appliance technician such as Patterson's Appliance Repair can find out why the appliance leaked so it doesn't happen again.
3. Document everything before cleanup
Take photos and video of the water, the source and every damaged room and item before anything is moved. Note the time you discovered the damage. Keep damaged items until your insurer has seen them or tells you they can be discarded, and keep receipts for emergency expenses. Call your insurance company early: coverage depends heavily on where the water came from. Sudden plumbing leaks are commonly covered by homeowners policies, surface flooding needs flood insurance, and sewer backup often needs a separate rider.
4. Get standing water out fast
Household wet vacs and towels help with small spills, but they can't pull water out of carpet pad, subfloors and wall cavities. Professional crews use submersible pumps and truck-mounted extractors, then remove wet carpet pad, which rarely dries properly in place. The sooner extraction starts, the less water wicks up into drywall. If you need help, see what's involved in water damage removal and how local pros approach it.
5. Start drying, and measure it
Opening windows and running fans helps with small leaks in dry weather, but structural drying uses air movers and commercial dehumidifiers, with moisture readings taken daily until materials return to normal. Drywall that was soaked, insulation and particleboard furniture usually need to be removed. Drying typically takes three to five days.
6. Watch for mold and hidden water
Water travels inside walls and under flooring, so damage often extends beyond what you can see. Thermal cameras and moisture meters help find it. If you notice a musty smell days later, or see spots on walls or baseboards, have the area checked. In New York State, mold projects larger than 10 square feet must be handled by licensed mold assessors and remediators.
7. Fix the cause
Once things are dry, make sure the source is fixed: replace the failed pipe or hose, repair the water heater, or address the drainage problem that let water into the basement. If water came in from outside, basement waterproofing can keep it from happening again.
This article is general information, not professional advice. Dawn Waterproofing connects homeowners with independent local service providers and does not perform the work.