Winter home guide
First 60 Minutes After Water Damage: Emergency Checklist
A minute-by-minute checklist for the first hour — what to shut off, what to move, what to document, and when to call for help.
Water is spreading, the clock is ticking, and it’s hard to think straight. You don’t need to fix everything right now — you need to do the right five things, in order, in the next hour. Here they are.
The first 60 minutes
- Minutes 0–10: Stop the water. Find the source and shut it off — the valve under a sink or behind a toilet, the main shutoff if a pipe burst. Can’t find it? Call for help now rather than hunting for another twenty minutes while the damage spreads.
- Minutes 10–20: Check the power. If water is near outlets, appliances, or the breaker panel, stay out of the water and kill the affected circuit only if you can do it safely from a dry spot. Electricity and standing water are a lethal combination — when in doubt, don’t touch it.
- Minutes 20–40: Move what’s valuable, then document. Lift rugs, move electronics and furniture, carry photos and papers to high ground. Then photograph and video the damage before anything gets cleaned up — wide shots, close-ups, the source. Your future insurance claim depends on this.
- Minutes 40–60: Call for help. If there’s standing water or soaked materials, call a water mitigation contractor — then notify your insurer. Every hour of delay is an hour for the damage (and mold) to grow. Call (317) 953-9223 any time for local help.
What NOT to do
- Don’t use a household vacuum on standing water. It isn’t built for it, and with wet electrical equipment nearby it’s dangerous. Use a wet/dry shop vacuum only if the area is electrically safe.
- Don’t plug in anything in a wet area. No fans, no heaters, no extension cords running through the water. Drying equipment comes after the power situation is sorted.
- Don’t tear out flooring or drywall yet. That’s the mitigation crew’s job, and ripping things out before documentation is done hurts your insurance claim.
- Don’t wait until morning. A small leak at midnight is a big problem by sunrise. If it’s more than a spill you can fully dry yourself, treat it as an emergency now.
Keep everyone safe
Watch for slip and trip hazards. Wet tile and stairs are treacherous — keep kids, pets, and older family members out of the affected area until it’s dry.
Contaminated water is a different game. If the water came from a sewer backup, a septic issue, or outside flooding, don’t touch it — it can carry bacteria and other contaminants. Leave the cleanup to professionals with proper protective equipment.
If the ceiling is sagging, stay out from under it. A waterlogged ceiling can collapse without much warning. Give it space and let the pros handle it.
Frequently asked questions
Should I turn off the water or the electricity first?
Stop the water first if you can reach the valve safely. But if water is already pooled around outlets, appliances, or the breaker panel, don't wade in — shut off the affected circuit from a dry location, or call the utility and a professional. Safety beats property every time.
Is it safe to walk through standing water?
Sometimes — but never if the water could be electrified, and never after a sewer backup, which can carry bacteria and contaminants. When in doubt, stay out and call a mitigation crew with proper protective equipment.
Can I wait until morning to call for help?
Water doesn't wait. Damage compounds by the hour — swelling wood, wicking drywall, and mold growth that can start within a day or two. For anything beyond a small spill you can fully dry yourself, call tonight.
What should I document before cleanup starts?
Wide photos of every affected room, close-ups of damaged materials and the water source, a video walkthrough with the date, and a quick list of damaged items. Do this before mitigation begins — adjusters decide claims based on what they can see.
Should I call my insurance company or a mitigation company first?
Get the water stopped, and call a mitigation crew if the damage is significant — then notify your insurer. Insurers expect you to prevent further damage, and professional drying in the first hours does more for your claim than paperwork does.
Will calling for emergency help hurt my insurance claim?
No — it helps. Mitigation costs are typically part of the claim, and your policy requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Save every receipt and photo, and the costs go into the claim file.
Read this before you hire anyone. Jack’s Home Rescue does not perform repairs, and no listing or guide on this site replaces checking a contractor yourself. Any contractor you hire is an independent business responsible for their own licensing, work, and pricing — confirm license and insurance before work begins, and get the scope in writing.
Water damage help in your city
Every city page lists the local number answered 24/7 for water damage help there: