What Should You Do First After Discovering Water Damage?

Safety is the most important first step. Do not enter standing water if any electrical outlets, appliances, or cords are submerged or nearby. If you can safely reach your home's main electrical panel, turn off power to the affected rooms. If the water is near your furnace, water heater, or electrical panel, avoid the area entirely and wait for an electrician or the pros.

Wear protective gear like rubber boots and gloves if you must walk through water. Be aware of slip hazards on wet floors. If the water damage is from a sewage backup or floodwater, assume it is contaminated. Keep children and pets away from the area until a professional can evaluate the health risks.

Use your phone or camera to take clear photos and videos of all water damage before you move anything. Capture the water source, the extent of standing water, and damaged belongings and materials like drywall or flooring. This visual evidence is crucial for communicating with your insurance company and for the pros to understand the initial scope.

Make a written list of damaged items as best you can. Note the brand, model, and approximate age of large items. Do not throw anything away yet, as an adjuster may need to see it. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. Good documentation helps support your claim and ensures you remember details later.

There are safe actions you can take to reduce damage while you wait for help. Move furniture, rugs, and other belongings to a dry room. Prop up wet furniture cushions and remove items from wet cabinets. If it is safe, wipe excess water from hard surfaces. Place aluminum foil under furniture legs to prevent staining carpets. Do not use a regular household vacuum to suck up water.

Ventilate the area if weather permits by opening windows and doors. However, if outdoor humidity is high, this can slow drying. Avoid turning on ceiling fans if the ceiling is wet or sagging. Do not attempt to repair sagging ceilings yourself. Your goal is to stabilize the situation, not to begin the complex drying process, which requires professional equipment.

• Remove saturated area rugs from hardwood or carpet.
• Lift draperies off wet floors and hang them to dry.
• Wipe down metal surfaces to prevent rust.
• Empty standing water from pots, vases, or planters.
• Place towels at doorways to contain water spread.
• Discard obviously contaminated items like soaked food or cardboard.