Emergency checklist
What to Do in the First 60 Minutes After Water Damage
Stay calm. These six steps protect your family, limit the damage and help your insurance claim.
1. Shut off the water
Find your main shutoff — usually in the meter box near the street or where the line enters the house. For a single fixture, close the valve under the sink or behind the toilet. For a water heater, close the cold supply valve on top. For an AC leak, turn the system off at the thermostat.
2. Make it electrically safe
Never walk through water that may have reached outlets, cords or appliances. If you can reach the breaker panel without standing in water, turn off power to the affected area. If you can't, stay out and wait for help.
3. Take photos and video for insurance
Before you move anything, photograph and video the water, the source and every damaged item. Include wide shots and close-ups. This documentation helps your insurance claim.
4. Don't use a household vacuum
Regular vacuums aren't built for water and can cause electric shock. Don't use fans that sit in water, and don't turn on ceiling fans or lights if the ceiling is wet or sagging.
5. Protect what you can
Move valuables, documents and electronics to a dry area. Put foil or plastic under furniture legs. Lift curtains off the floor. If water is from sewage or outside flooding, avoid contact and keep kids and pets away.
6. Call us — 24/7
Call as soon as you're safe. We'll walk you through anything else while our crew heads your way, and we'll document everything your insurer needs.
After the first hour
Call your insurance company to report the loss. Don't throw away damaged items until they've been documented. Keep the house cool with your AC if it's safe to run. Water keeps moving into walls and floors, so professional water extraction and structural drying should start as soon as possible.
Fast, professional drying is the best way to prevent mold. If mold is found, we refer you to a TDLR-licensed mold professional, as Texas law requires.
Call Now — 24/7Water damage won't wait. Neither do we.
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