What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Water Damage

Water damage emergencies have a way of catching you completely off guard. One moment your home is fine, the next you're standing ankle-deep in water, wondering where it came from and what to do next. Whether it's from a burst pipe, severe storm, appliance failure, or sewage backup, your response in those crucial first 24 hours will largely determine how much damage your home ultimately sustains.

Having worked with thousands of homeowners facing water emergencies, we've seen firsthand how quick, informed action can save tens of thousands of dollars in restoration costs. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, when water damage strikes your home.

Hour 1: Ensure Safety First

Before you do anything else, assess whether it's safe to be in the affected area. Water and electricity are a deadly combination. If water has reached electrical outlets, appliances, or your circuit breaker box, do not enter the area. Call an electrician or your utility company to shut off power to affected areas.

Consider the source of the water. Clean water from a supply line is one thing, but water from sewage backups, flooding, or unknown sources can contain harmful bacteria and contaminants. If you're dealing with anything other than clean water from a known source, protective gear is essential—boots, gloves, and potentially a mask.

Check for structural concerns. If ceilings are sagging, walls are bulging, or floors feel unstable, evacuate immediately. Water adds tremendous weight to building materials, and compromised structures can fail suddenly. Your safety is more important than any possession.

Hours 1-2: Stop the Water Source

Once you've confirmed it's safe to proceed, your top priority is stopping the water. For plumbing failures, locate your main water shutoff valve—every homeowner should know where this is before an emergency strikes. It's typically near your water meter, in your basement, or on an exterior wall.

If the water is from a specific fixture or appliance, you may be able to use its individual shutoff valve instead of killing water to your whole house. Toilets, sinks, and washing machines typically have dedicated shutoff valves nearby. Refrigerator ice makers have small valves behind the unit.

For storm-related water intrusion, the solution might involve temporary fixes like covering a damaged roof with tarps or sealing a broken window. Don't attempt roof work during active storms or if conditions are unsafe. Sometimes the best you can do initially is contain the water with buckets and towels until weather permits proper repairs.

Hours 2-4: Document Everything

Before you start moving or removing anything, document the damage thoroughly. Your insurance claim depends on this evidence. Take photos and videos of everything—the water itself, all affected areas, damaged belongings, and anything that might show the water's source or extent.

Don't just photograph the dramatic damage. Document everything that got wet, even if it doesn't look obviously damaged yet. Take wide shots showing the overall scene and close-ups of specific items. Include photos of water levels, staining on walls, and affected flooring. The more documentation you have, the stronger your insurance claim will be.

Make a detailed list of all damaged items, including approximate age and value. Keep receipts if you have them, but if not, do your best to estimate replacement costs. This inventory will be crucial when filing your claim.

Hours 4-8: Contact Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance company as soon as possible, ideally within the first few hours. Many policies have specific timeframes for reporting water damage. Explain what happened, when it happened, and what you've documented so far. Ask about your coverage for both structural repairs and contents replacement.

Get your claim number and the name of your adjuster. Ask about approved restoration companies—some insurers have preferred vendors, though you generally have the right to choose your own contractor. Clarify what emergency mitigation steps you can take before the adjuster arrives. Most policies expect you to prevent further damage.

Understand that insurance typically covers sudden and accidental water damage (like burst pipes) but may not cover gradual damage from neglected maintenance or flooding from outside water sources (which requires separate flood insurance). Knowing what your policy covers helps set realistic expectations.

Hours 8-16: Begin Water Removal

Time is absolutely critical when dealing with standing water. The longer water sits, the more damage it causes. Within 24 hours, porous materials like drywall and insulation become saturated, mold begins to develop, and the likelihood of permanent damage increases dramatically.

For minor water accumulation, you might manage with wet/dry vacuums, mops, and towels. But for anything more than small, isolated puddles, professional water extraction equipment is essential. Commercial-grade extractors can remove thousands of gallons quickly, preventing water from soaking deeper into your home's structure.

This is where calling professional water damage restoration specialists becomes critical. We have truck-mounted extraction systems, industrial dehumidifiers, and air movers that are exponentially more effective than consumer equipment. What might take you days to accomplish with rental equipment, professionals can complete in hours.

While extracting water, also remove wet materials that can't be saved. Soaked carpet padding, saturated drywall, and damaged insulation need to come out to prevent mold growth. The faster you remove these items, the better chance you have of saving the structural elements behind them.

Hours 16-24: Start Drying and Dehumidification

Once standing water is removed, the real work begins—drying everything thoroughly. This isn't as simple as waiting for things to air dry. Water penetrates deep into building materials, and without proper drying equipment, that moisture will remain trapped, causing ongoing damage and creating perfect conditions for mold.

Professional-grade air movers create airflow across all affected surfaces, dramatically accelerating evaporation. Industrial dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air, preventing it from being reabsorbed into your walls, floors, and furnishings. Together, these systems create an environment where your home can dry properly.

This drying process isn't a quick fix. Depending on the extent of water damage, thorough drying can take several days to a week or more. Moisture meters are used to monitor progress, checking inside walls and floors to ensure everything reaches safe moisture levels. Rushing this process almost always leads to problems down the road.

During this phase, maximize ventilation if weather permits. Open windows and doors to create cross-ventilation. Turn on ceiling fans. Remove area rugs and move furniture away from walls. The more air circulation you can create, the faster drying occurs.

What Happens After the First 24 Hours

The actions you take in that first day set the stage for everything that follows. If you've stopped the water, extracted standing water quickly, begun proper drying, and contacted your insurance company, you've done the critical work that prevents minor water damage from becoming a catastrophic loss.

The restoration process will continue well beyond those first 24 hours. Professional monitoring ensures everything dries completely. Any damaged structural elements get repaired or replaced. If mold has begun developing, remediation might be necessary. Finally, you'll move into reconstruction—replacing drywall, flooring, and other materials that couldn't be saved.

But here's what matters most: homeowners who act decisively in those first critical hours almost always face less extensive damage, shorter restoration timelines, and lower costs than those who delay or attempt to handle serious water damage themselves. Professional water damage restoration teams have the equipment, expertise, and experience to handle what is genuinely an emergency situation.

Water damage won't wait, and neither should you. Every hour counts. Having a plan before disaster strikes—knowing where your water shutoffs are, having emergency contacts ready, understanding your insurance coverage—means you'll be prepared to act immediately when water threatens your home.

Remember, you don't have to face water damage alone. Professional restoration teams are available 24/7 for exactly these emergencies. We've seen it all, handled countless situations, and we know exactly what needs to happen to save your home and belongings. Don't hesitate to call for help when water damage strikes—that call could save you thousands of dollars and months of headaches.