What to do right after water damage

Put safety first

Keep people away from standing water near outlets, electrical equipment or a damaged ceiling. Do not operate switches or appliances while standing in water. If you suspect sewage or outside floodwater, avoid contact with the water and keep others out of the area.

• Move to a safe area if a ceiling is sagging or water is near electricity.
• If it is safe to reach, shut off the water supply feeding a plumbing leak.
• Call the appropriate utility or emergency service when a utility hazard is present.

Record what happened

Take wide photos of each affected room and closer photos of the apparent source, wet materials and damaged belongings. Note when you discovered the water and what you did to stop it. Keep receipts for emergency expenses.

• Avoid throwing damaged items away until you have documented them, unless keeping them creates a safety problem.
• Tell your insurer about the loss promptly if you intend to make a claim.

Get the wet materials assessed

Water can move beneath flooring, behind baseboards and into wall cavities. A professional inspection can map affected materials and recommend extraction, drying, cleaning or removal as conditions require. A surface that feels dry does not confirm that the assembly behind it is dry.