What to Do After Water Damage: The First 24 to 48 Hours

What to do after water damage, in order: make the area safe, stop the water, document everything, call your insurer, then start drying. Speed matters because the EPA says water-damaged areas and items should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Anything you cannot dry in that window, or anything touched by sewage or floodwater, usually needs professional help.

This guide walks through the first hour, the first day and the first two days, plus what to expect with drywall, carpet, ceilings and your insurance adjuster.

First hour: safety and stopping the water

1. Watch for electrical hazards. The CDC says that if you have standing water and can turn off the main power from a dry location, go ahead and turn it off. If you would have to walk through standing water to reach the panel, call an electrician instead. Never turn power on or off, or use an electric tool or appliance, while standing in water.
2. Stop the source. For a burst or leaking pipe, close the fixture's shutoff valve or your home's main water shutoff. For an appliance, turn off its supply valve. If you are not sure where your main shutoff is, find it now; our burst pipe guide shows where it usually is.
3. Look for structural danger. A sagging ceiling can hold a lot of water. Keep people and pets out from under it. The CDC advises not to go inside if there is obvious damage such as cracks in walls or foundation, downed power lines or downed trees, until a professional has inspected.
4. Protect yourself. Wear rubber boots and gloves. If the water came from a toilet, sewer line, or outside flooding, assume it is contaminated and limit contact.
5. Move what you can. Lift furniture off wet carpet, put foil or blocks under legs, and move electronics, papers, and photos to a dry room.

If the cause is frozen pipes

Frozen pipes are a common cause of winter water damage. The American Red Cross says to keep the faucet open while thawing, apply gentle heat such as a hair dryer, an electric heating pad or towels soaked in hot water, and never use an open flame such as a blowtorch or propane heater. If you cannot find or reach the frozen section, call a licensed plumber. If the pipe has already split, shut off the water first.

Figure out what kind of water you have

The type of water decides what can be saved and who should clean it. The restoration industry's standard, IICRC S500, sorts water into three categories:

Clean water does not stay clean. Water that sits, or that soaks through building materials and dirty carpet, can become more contaminated over time. If you are dealing with sewage, stop and call a professional rather than cleaning it up yourself.

First 24 hours: document and call your insurer

Photograph and video everything before you clean up. The Insurance Information Institute advises you to photograph or videotape the damage, then take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage. Capture:

• The source (the burst pipe, failed hose, water heater)
• Water lines on walls and how high the water reached
• Every damaged room, wide shots and close-ups
• Damaged belongings, with model and serial numbers where you can see them

Do not throw out damaged items yet. Triple-I says not to throw out damaged items until the adjuster has visited. If you must remove something (for example, soaked carpet pad that smells), photograph it first and keep a sample if you can.

Call your insurance company or agent. Ask whether the damage is likely covered, how long you have to file, what your deductible is, and whether they want you to get estimates. Standard policies generally treat sudden, accidental water damage from plumbing differently from flooding, gradual leaks and sewer backup. Our guide to water damage insurance claims explains what is typically covered.

Protect the property from further damage. Most homeowners policies require you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, such as stopping the leak and starting to dry. Save every receipt for fans, tarps, dehumidifiers, emergency plumbing or water removal. Triple-I says to save receipts for what you spend, including extra living costs if you have to move out.

Dealing with the insurance adjuster after water damage

People often ask what not to say to an insurance adjuster after water damage. The honest answer is to stick to facts you know. Describe what you saw and when you found it, and do not guess about how long a leak was going on or what caused it if you are not sure. Let the plumber or restoration company's findings speak to the cause. Keep notes of every call, with names and dates, and ask for important decisions in writing.

First 24 to 48 hours: start drying

Drying is where the 24 to 48 hour EPA window matters, and it is the core of professional water damage restoration.

1. Remove standing water. A wet/dry vacuum handles small areas. Larger amounts, or water under flooring, generally need truck-mounted or portable extraction. See our guide to emergency water removal for what that involves.
2. Get air moving. Open closets and cabinet doors, run fans, and remove baseboards if water wicked behind them.
3. Run dehumidifiers. Fans move moisture into the air; dehumidifiers take it out. Close windows if it is humid outside so you are not pulling damp air back in.
4. Pull wet items that will not dry fast. The EPA notes that porous materials such as ceiling tiles and carpet may need to be thrown away if they become moldy.
5. Measure, do not guess. Drywall and wood can feel dry on the surface and still be wet inside. Restoration companies use moisture meters and thermal cameras to find hidden water and to confirm materials are dry before anything is closed back up.

Our full guide to drying out water damage explains drying equipment and timelines in more detail.

Room by room: drywall, carpet, ceilings, floors

Drywall repair after water damage. Drywall that got briefly wet with clean water and dries fast can sometimes stay. Drywall that is soft, swollen, crumbling, stained, or was soaked by contaminated water is usually cut out and replaced. Replacing drywall after water damage normally means cutting above the wet line, drying the wall cavity and insulation, and only then hanging new board. Closing a wet wall traps moisture and invites mold. Our guide to water-damaged drywall goes deeper.

Carpet cleaning after water damage. Carpet soaked with clean water and dried quickly can sometimes be saved, though the pad underneath often cannot. Carpet soaked by sewage or floodwater is generally discarded.

Ceiling repair after water damage. Small dry stains can often be sealed with a stain-blocking primer and painted once the leak is fixed. A ceiling that sags, bulges, or feels soft needs to come down in a controlled way, ideally by a professional.

Wood floors. Hardwood that cups or crowns may flatten as it dries, or may need to be replaced. Do not sand or refinish until the moisture has been measured as normal.

Does water damage go away on its own?

No. Surface water evaporates, but water that soaked into drywall, subfloor, insulation, or framing can stay for weeks. That hidden moisture can lead to mold, rot, warped floors, and peeling paint. The visible stain may fade, but the damage behind it does not resolve without proper drying.

What to do after a water main repair

After the utility repairs a water main, or after a plumber repairs your service line, your water may run cloudy or discolored and air may sputter from faucets. Follow any instructions from your water utility, such as running cold taps to flush the lines. If the repair involved digging near your home, check your basement or crawl space for new seepage over the next few days.

When to call a professional

Call a water damage restoration company when:

• Water covers more than one room or soaked under flooring
• The water was Category 2 or 3 (appliance discharge, sewage or floodwater)
• Ceilings are sagging or drywall is soft
• You cannot get materials dry within 24 to 48 hours
• You smell mustiness or see mold
• Your insurer requires professional water mitigation

On the question of how much water mitigation costs: it depends on the size of the area, the category of water and how long it sat. Our guide to water damage restoration cost explains the drivers and links published ranges. To find companies in your area, see our locations page.

Flood Rescue Pros is a free service that connects homeowners with independent local water damage restoration companies. If you want help finding one, Get help now.

Frequently asked questions

What is the first thing to do after water damage?

Make it safe and stop the water. Turn off power to wet areas only if you can do it from a dry spot, then shut off the water at the fixture or the main valve.

How long do you have to dry out water damage before mold grows?

The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Should I call my insurance company or a restoration company first?

Make the home safe and stop the water first, then call your insurer to report the loss and ask what they need. You can start emergency drying at the same time; keep receipts and photos so the insurer can see what was done.

Can I fix water damage myself?

Small clean-water spills that you catch quickly can often be handled with towels, a wet/dry vac, fans and a dehumidifier. Sewage, floodwater, sagging ceilings, soaked drywall, or water under floors are better left to a professional.

Does homeowners insurance pay for water removal?

If the water damage itself is covered, policies commonly treat reasonable emergency steps to prevent further damage as part of the claim. Coverage depends on the cause and your policy, so ask your insurer and keep every receipt.

Key facts

• Safety first: turn off power only from a dry spot, and never handle electrical equipment while standing in water (CDC).
• Dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth (EPA).
• Photograph damage before cleanup and keep damaged items until the adjuster sees them (Insurance Information Institute).
• IICRC S500 sorts water into three categories; sewage and floodwater (Category 3) usually mean porous materials are removed.
• Hidden moisture in drywall, subfloor and framing does not go away on its own; measure it with a moisture meter before closing anything up.
• Save every receipt for emergency repairs, drying equipment and extra living costs.