First 60 Minutes After Water Damage: Emergency Checklist

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 (555) 010-2233 any time and we’ll connect you with an independent local contractor — the matching service is free.

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