If your home has water damage, a few early steps can limit the damage and make the restoration and insurance process smoother. This is general guidance, not professional or legal advice — when something feels unsafe, wait for a professional.
Stay safe first
Your safety comes before any cleanup.
- Avoid standing water near outlets, switches, or your electrical panel. Water and electricity together are dangerous.
- If water is near electrical sources, or the source is a sewage backup, keep clear and wait for a professional.
- Watch for slippery floors, soaked ceilings that may sag, and anything that looks structurally unstable.
Stop the source if you safely can
If the water is still flowing and you can reach the source without risk:
- Shut off the water supply for a burst pipe or a failed appliance, such as a water heater, washing machine, or dishwasher.
- If you can’t find the local shutoff, use the home’s main water shutoff valve.
- For a roof or storm leak, you usually can’t stop the source — focus on protecting belongings and reducing standing water where it’s safe.
Reduce standing water if it’s safe
Once the source is under control and the area is safe:
- Mop or blot up water you can reach.
- Move valuables, electronics, and furniture off wet flooring.
- Lift drapes and pull up loose rugs so they don’t keep spreading moisture.
Don’t put yourself at risk to save belongings, and don’t use a household vacuum on standing water.
Document everything before you clean up
This step matters for your insurance claim, so do it before you remove or dry anything you don’t have to.
- Photograph and take video of every affected room and item.
- Capture the source of the damage if it’s visible, such as the burst pipe or failed appliance.
- Keep damaged items, or pieces of them, until your insurer has had a chance to review.
- Save receipts for anything you buy during the cleanup.
Don’t delay
Water damage is time-sensitive. The longer water sits, the more it spreads into drywall, flooring, and framing, and mold can begin to develop within roughly 24–48 hours. Contacting a restoration provider promptly helps limit the damage — that’s the real reason to move quickly, not any promised response time.
Contact your insurer and a restoration provider
Start your insurance claim and reach a qualified restoration provider. A provider can assess the damage, extract water, and dry the structure; your insurer can tell you what your policy covers. Our guides on insurance claims and choosing a provider walk through both.
When you’re ready, request restoration help and we’ll help connect you with providers serving your area of the Piedmont.