Guide

What to Do After Water Damage: A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide shows what to do after water damage, in the order it matters: the first 10 minutes, the first hour, the first day and the days after. Follow it step by step, and call for help as soon as the water is stopped.

Built around time — each step placed where it does the most good.
Based on public guidance — EPA drying advice and the industry’s IICRC S500 water categories.
One call for help — routed to a local team that serves your ZIP code.

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Key Takeaways

If you only read one section, read this one.

The short version

Stop the water first. Shut the main valve or the fixture valve before you do anything else.
Safety beats speed. Never walk into standing water while the power is on in that area.
Photos before cleanup. Record every wet room before you move, toss or dry anything.
The clock is the enemy. The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24–48 hours to prevent mold.
Fans alone are not drying. Water hides in walls, subfloors and carpet pad where a house fan can’t reach.
Call two people early. A restoration team to stop the spread, and your insurer to open a claim.
Sewage and floodwater are different. Treat them as contaminated and keep people and pets out.

Last reviewed: November 8, 2026

First 10 Minutes: Stop the Water

This is what to do after water damage in a house, before cleanup and before calls. Each minute water runs adds to what must be dried or replaced.

Find the sourceFollow the water to where it is coming from: a pipe, a hose, an appliance, a toilet, the ceiling or a floor drain.

Close the nearest valveToilets, sinks, washers and dishwashers have small shut-off valves behind or under them. Turn them clockwise until they stop.

Shut the main if you can’t stop it locallyThe main valve is usually where the water line enters the house: a basement wall, crawl space, garage, utility closet or near the water heater. Some homes have it in an outdoor box near the street.

Turn off the water heaterIf the tank is leaking, close the cold-water supply on top if you can reach it without standing in water. For an electric unit, switch off the breaker only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot; for gas, set it to “pilot” or “off.”

Open a faucet on the lowest floorThis drains pressure from the pipes and slows any leak you have not found yet.

Catch what’s still drippingPut buckets under ceiling drips. If a ceiling bulges with water, keep everyone out from under it.

Note the timeWrite down when you found the water and when you stopped it. Your insurer and your local team will ask.

Water pipe burst in house: what to do? Shut the main first, even if you can see the broken pipe. Burst lines release a lot of water quickly, and a local valve may not exist on that section.

Safety: Power, Gas and Structure

Water damage can hurt people, not just houses. Check these before you step into any wet room.

Safety first

ElectricityIf water touches outlets, cords, appliances or the panel, do not enter. Switch off breakers only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot. If you can’t, call the power company.

GasIf you smell gas or hear hissing, leave the house now. Call the gas utility or 911 from outside, and don’t flip switches on the way out.

CeilingsA sagging, bulging or cracked ceiling can drop without warning. Stay out from under it and keep kids and pets away.

Floors and stairsWet floors are slippery and soaked subfloors can be soft. Walk slowly, wear shoes with grip and test each step.

Contaminated waterSewage, toilet water with waste and floodwater carry bacteria and chemicals. Don’t touch them with bare skin.

Who to Call First After Water Damage

You may need more than one call. This table shows who handles what, so you don’t wait on the wrong person.

Who	Call them when	What they do	What they don’t do
Plumber	A pipe, fixture or water heater is still leaking and you can’t stop it	Repairs the leak or the broken line	Dry walls, floors or carpet
Water damage restoration team	Water has reached floors, walls, ceilings or carpet	Removes water, dries the structure, cleans and sanitizes	Fix plumbing in most cases
Insurance company	You plan to file a claim for the damage	Opens the claim and sends an adjuster	Remove water or start drying
Utility (power or gas)	Water is near the panel, or you smell gas	Shuts off service safely	Clean up water
City or water utility	The leak is on the street side of the meter, or the main valve won’t close	Shuts water off at the curb or meter	Handle damage inside your home
Landlord or HOA	You rent, or the water came from a shared pipe or another unit	Starts their own repair and claim process	Pay for your belongings in most cases

Flooded basement: who to call? If water is still coming in, start with the source. Call a plumber for a broken pipe, and stay out of the water if it is near outlets or the panel. Then call a restoration team to pump out the water and start drying. See flooded basement cleanup for more.

The First Hour: What to Do

Once the water is off and the area is safe, use the rest of the first hour to protect your home and your claim.

Take photos and videoShoot every wet room, the source, the water line on walls and damaged items. Do this before you move anything, and turn on your phone’s date stamp if it has one.

Call for helpCall a restoration team and your insurer. Getting drying started early limits the damage, and most policies expect you to act promptly.

Move valuables up and outLift electronics, documents, photos, rugs and small furniture off wet floors. Take them to a dry room.

Protect furniture you can’t moveSlide foil, wood blocks or plastic lids under the legs so stains don’t wick up.

Pull up loose rugsArea rugs trap water against the floor. Lift them and hang them over a rail in a dry spot.

Mop or blot standing waterFor clean water only, use towels, a mop or a wet-dry vac on small areas.

Remove wet items from closets and cabinetsOpen doors and drawers so air can reach inside.

Keep air movingOpen interior doors to dry areas if the air outside the room is drier. Keep exterior windows closed if it is humid outside.

Keep children and pets outClose off the wet rooms if you can.

Check the floor belowLook at ceilings and walls under the wet area for drips, stains or bulges.

Day 1: The First 24 Hours After Water Damage

The first 24 hours after water damage set the course for the whole job. Water keeps moving even after the leak stops.

First hoursWater spreads across the floor and under baseboards. Carpet pad soaks it up. Drywall starts wicking water upward. Wood furniture legs can stain, and paper, books and photos begin to warp.

Later on day 1Drywall can soften near the floor. Laminate and engineered wood may swell at the seams. Water settles into wall cavities, subfloor seams and under cabinets, so surfaces may look dry while hidden water stays.

End of day 1Swelling in wood and particleboard often becomes visible. Paint may bubble. Humidity in the home climbs and moisture moves into dry rooms.

Your to-do list in the first day

Make sure your local team has started water removal or has a plan to.
Keep a written log: times, calls, names and claim numbers.
Leave drying equipment running once it is set up.
Don’t paint, patch or cover any wet surface.

Day 2: Why the Second Day Matters Most

The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24–48 hours to prevent mold growth. This window is why early extraction and drying matter so much.

Day 2Mold can begin to grow on wet drywall, wood and carpet backing. Hardwood boards may begin to cup, and doors near the wet area may stick.

Day 2, wet carpetOdor gets stronger. Pad can sometimes be saved when clean water is extracted within hours; otherwise it is usually replaced.

Day 2, water qualityClean water can turn into grey water within about a day or two, especially if it sits or touches dirty materials. That can change what must be thrown away.

What to do in this window

Ask your local team for moisture readings and where the wet areas end.
Confirm which materials will be dried in place and which must come out.
Send your insurer the photos and your local team’s details if you haven’t yet.
Keep the home’s heat or AC on a normal setting unless your local team says otherwise.

Days 3 and Beyond

After two days, the job usually shifts from saving materials to removing what can’t be saved. Drying still has to finish before any repair begins.

Day 3Mold growth becomes more likely in any area that is still wet. Wood framing and subfloors hold water and keep the air humid.

Days 3–5Many homes with professional equipment reach dry targets around this time. Your local team checks readings and moves equipment as areas dry.

Days 5–7Dense materials like hardwood, plaster and concrete may still be drying. Wet areas missed early can show stains or smells.

Week 2 and laterRepairs start once drying is confirmed: drywall, baseboards, flooring and paint. Areas that stayed wet may need mold remediation first.

What to do after day three

Don’t let anyone close up walls or lay new flooring until readings show dry.
Ask for a drying log or final moisture report for your insurer.
Watch for musty smells, new stains or soft spots in rooms near the leak.

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Documenting Water Damage for Insurance

Good records make a claim smoother. Start them early and keep them in one folder or phone album.

Wide shots of every roomStand in the doorway and capture the whole room, then move closer.

Close-ups of damageShoot water lines on walls, stains, swollen trim, buckled floors and wet carpet.

The sourcePhotograph the broken pipe, failed hose, appliance or roof area that caused it.

Video walkthroughNarrate what you see as you walk through, with the date and time.

Damaged itemsList each item with brand, model, rough age and a photo. Keep the item until the adjuster sees it or approves disposal.

ReceiptsSave receipts for anything you buy, like towels, fans, a hotel or meals out.

Call logWrite down who you called, when and what they said.

Water line marksBefore walls dry, mark the highest water line with tape and photograph it next to a tape measure.

Restoration recordsKeep the moisture readings, drying logs, photos and invoices your local team gives you.

Your policyDownload a copy and note your deductible and any water or mold limits.

For more on claims, read does homeowners insurance cover water damage.

What to Remove and What to Leave

Some things should come out now. Others should stay put until your local team or adjuster sees them.

Item or material	Remove now or leave?	Why
Area rugs and bath mats	Remove	They trap water against the floor and can stain it
Electronics and small appliances	Remove only from dry spots	Don’t touch anything plugged in while standing in or near water; don’t plug them back in until checked
Papers, books and photos	Remove	Paper absorbs water quickly and warps
Wall-to-wall carpet	Leave	Your local team decides if it can be dried in place; pulling it yourself can damage it
Carpet pad	Leave for now	Often removed by your local team, but the adjuster may want to see it
Drywall	Leave	Cutting it before readings are taken can remove more than needed
Baseboards	Leave	Your local team may pull them to dry the wall behind
Kitchen and bath cabinets	Leave, but empty them	Emptying lets air reach inside; removal is a local team decision
Large furniture	Move if safe, or block the legs	Heavy wet furniture can be hard to move and can damage floors
Food touched by floodwater or sewage	Throw out	It is unsafe to eat; photograph it first

Protecting Your Belongings

Belongings often get pushed aside while the house gets attention. A few minutes here can save things you can’t replace.

Photos: Separate them, lay them face up on a clean towel and let them air dry. Don’t stack them wet.
Important documents: Lay them flat in a dry room. If you can’t dry them soon, seal them in a bag and freeze them until you can.
Books: Stand them upright and fanned open in a dry room with moving air.
Upholstered furniture: Lift it off wet floors and blot the fabric. Ask your local team about cleaning, since stuffing holds water.
Wood furniture: Wipe it dry, lift it off wet floors and keep it out of direct sun to avoid cracks.
Clothing and linens: Wash clean-water items soon. Items touched by grey water or sewage need hot washing or disposal.
Electronics: Unplug them only if the outlet and floor are dry. Don’t power them on until they are fully dry and checked.
Artwork and framed pieces: Move them to a dry room and take them out of wet frames if you can do it gently. Lay them flat.
Kids’ toys: Hard plastic toys can be washed and disinfected. Stuffed and fabric toys touched by dirty water should be thrown out.
Medications: Throw out any that got wet and ask your pharmacy about replacements.

What to Do by Water Source

The source changes the risk and the first steps. Find yours below.

Source	First steps	What to watch for	Learn more
Burst pipe	Shut the main, open a low faucet, switch off power to wet rooms only from a dry spot	Hidden water inside walls and ceilings below	Burst pipe water damage
Appliance leak (washer, dishwasher, fridge, water heater)	Close the appliance valve if you can reach it from a dry spot; don’t touch the appliance while standing in water	Slow leaks under cabinets and subfloors	Emergency water removal
Roof or window leak	Catch drips and move items. Don’t climb on the roof; a roofer can tarp it	Wet attic insulation, stained or sagging ceilings	Ceiling water damage repair
Sewage backup or toilet with waste	Stop using water and drains, keep people and pets out, don’t touch it	Category 3 black water; porous items usually go	Sewage cleanup
AC or HVAC condensate line	Switch off the system at the thermostat and catch drips; don’t climb into the attic	Stained ceilings under the air handler and wet attic insulation	Ceiling water damage repair
Toilet overflow (clean tank water)	Close the valve behind the toilet, mop up, check the ceiling below	Water under the base and in the ceiling below	Water damage cleanup
Flood or storm water	Don’t re-enter until it is safe; stay out of the water and call the utility about power	Mud, silt, contamination and structural damage	Flood damage restoration

Flood damage from rising water is usually not covered by standard homeowners policies. Per FloodSmart, flood insurance comes through the NFIP or private insurers, so check your policy.

Mistakes That Make Water Damage Worse

These are common and easy to avoid once you know them.

Waiting to see if it driesSurfaces can feel dry while water sits in walls and subfloors.

Relying on house fansFans dry the surface, not the cavities underneath. They can also spread spores if mold has started.

Using a household vacuumA regular vacuum is not built for water and can shock you.

Turning on the HVAC with wet ductsIf water got into vents or ducts, running the system can spread moisture and odor.

Painting or patching too soonCovering a wet wall traps moisture and hides stains that come back.

Throwing things out before photosIt can make your claim harder to support.

Pulling up carpet yourselfIt can tear the carpet and make drying in place impossible.

Using bleach on everythingBleach doesn’t fix porous materials that stayed wet, and mixing it with other cleaners is dangerous.

Ignoring the floor belowWater travels down. Check ceilings and walls on the lower level.

Shutting off drying equipmentThe noise is normal. Switching machines off slows drying.

Staying Safe While You Wait for Help

You may need to live around the damage for a while. These steps keep your family safe.

Stay out of rooms with sewage or floodwaterClose the doors and keep people and pets away.

Wear gloves and bootsUse rubber gloves and waterproof boots in any wet area. Add an N95 mask if it smells musty.

Wash your handsWash after touching anything wet, and before eating.

Don’t use wet outletsRun extension cords from dry rooms only if they are rated for it and stay off the floor.

Watch the ceilingIf a ceiling starts to sag, drip in the middle or crack, leave the room.

Keep the air movingOpen interior doors to dry areas if the air outside the room is drier. Once a local team sets up dehumidifiers, follow your local team’s instructions — drying areas are often closed off.

Plan where to sleepIf the bedrooms are wet or the water was contaminated, stay with family or nearby. Save receipts.

Keep a dry pathLay towels or plastic sheeting from the door to the rooms you still use so you don’t track water through the house.

Have the details readyKeep your ZIP code, a list of wet rooms, the water source and your insurer’s name handy for the call.

Signs You Need a Professional

Small clean-water spills on hard floors are often fine to handle yourself. Call for professional help if any of these are true.

Standing waterWater is pooled on the floor or in the basement.

More than one roomWater reached several rooms or more than one floor.

Wet carpet or padPad holds water that a shop vac can’t pull out.

Wet drywall or ceilingsWalls feel soft, ceilings are stained, bulging or dripping.

Contaminated waterThe water came from sewage, a toilet with waste or outside floodwater.

More than a day wetThe water sat for 24 hours or more before you found it.

Musty smellThe room smells damp even after the surface looks dry.

Hidden waterFloors feel soft, trim is swelling or paint is bubbling.

Water near electricsWater touched outlets, appliances or the panel.

If you’re not sure, treat the water as contaminated and call. A local restoration team can remove the water, map hidden moisture and dry the structure. Read about water extraction and water damage cleanup, or see how DryRoute works.

What to Do After Water Damage: FAQ

Straight answers before you call.

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01What is the first thing to do after water damage?

Stop the water at the nearest valve or the main shut-off. Then make the area safe by turning off power to wet rooms if you can reach the panel from a dry spot. After that, take photos, move valuables and call for help.

02How long does it take for mold to grow after water damage?

The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24–48 hours to prevent mold growth. Mold needs moisture, so the sooner wet materials are dried, the lower the risk. Hidden water in walls and subfloors is where it most often starts.

03Who should I call first, a plumber or a restoration team?

If water is still leaking and you can’t stop it, call a plumber first. If the leak is stopped but floors, walls or carpet are wet, call a restoration team. Many people need both, plus an early call to their insurer.

04Can I clean up water damage myself?

You can handle a small spill of clean water on a hard floor if you dry it within a few hours. Standing water, wet carpet, wet drywall, ceilings or contaminated water need professional extraction and drying equipment to reach the moisture you can’t see.

05Should I call my insurance company promptly?

Yes, if you plan to file a claim. Most policies expect you to report damage promptly and take reasonable steps to prevent more loss. Take photos first, then call. Write down your claim number and the adjuster’s name. Coverage depends on the cause, so check your policy.

06Is it safe to stay in my house after water damage?

Often yes, if the water was clean, the power is safe and the ceilings are sound. Leave if there is sewage, floodwater, a gas smell, a sagging ceiling or water near the panel. Your local team can tell you which rooms to avoid.

07What should I do if my basement floods?

Stop the source if you can, and stay out of the water if it is near outlets, the furnace or the panel. Call the power company if needed. Then call a restoration team to pump out the water and start drying the space.

08How long does it take a house to dry after water damage?

With professional equipment, many homes dry in several days. Hardwood, plaster and concrete can take longer. Your local team confirms drying with moisture readings, not by touch, before any repairs begin. Ask for the final readings in writing for your insurer.

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Get Help With Water Damage Now

The sooner drying starts, the more of your home you can save. Your call is routed to a local water damage restoration team that serves your ZIP code. Your local team answers, talks through your damage and sets up next steps.

Call Now (844) 468-2111

Call and describe the damage
Your call routes to a team in your ZIP
They set up a visit if needed