Your First Hour in a Home Emergency

When something breaks at 2 a.m., the damage usually grows by the hour, not by the day. Water spreads, mold gets a head start, and a cold house risks frozen pipes on top of the furnace problem you already have. This guide is the calm version: what to do in the first hour, what to ask any pro before work starts, and the red flags that mean you should slow down before signing anything.

First, make it safe and stop the source

Water: find the main shut-off (usually near the meter or where the line enters the house) and turn it off. Then cut power to wet areas at the breaker — only if you can do it without standing in water. Fire or smoke: if anyone is in danger or the fire is not fully out, call 911 first; cleanup comes later. Gas smell or a rotten-egg odor: leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. No heat: check the thermostat, the furnace switch, and the breaker before assuming the worst — and let faucets drip if a hard freeze is coming.

The first hour, step by step

Once the source is stopped, take photos and a short video of everything before you move or throw out a single thing — insurers want the before picture, not the after. Move what you can out of the wet or damaged area, get standing water up with towels or a wet vac, and open a claim with your insurer early; you can always add detail later. Keep every receipt for emergency supplies and temporary fixes. If you need help now, call (317) 953-9223 — answered 24/7.

Questions to ask your contractor

Whoever you hire, it pays to ask: are you licensed and insured (ask to see it, not just hear it)? Can I get the scope in writing? How does pricing work — estimate or flat rate? For insurance jobs, have you worked with adjusters before? Straight answers to those four questions take two minutes and tell you most of what you need to know.

Red flags worth slowing down for

Be careful with anyone who demands full payment in cash before work starts, cannot show a license or insurance, pressures you to sign on the spot, or will not put the scope and price in writing. Real emergencies feel urgent — that is exactly when a written scope matters most. Get the agreement first, then let the work begin.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first when a pipe bursts?

Shut the water off at the main valve, turn off power to wet areas if you can do it safely, then take photos before you move anything. After that, get the water up and call for help — drying in the first day is what keeps a burst pipe from becoming a mold job.

How fast does water damage need attention?

Same day. Standing water should be extracted and drying started within 24 hours; mold can begin growing in 24 to 48 hours, so the first day matters more than any other.

What should I ask before work begins?

Ask to see their license and insurance, get the scope in writing, and confirm how pricing works — estimate or flat rate. For insurance work, ask whether they have documented damage for adjusters before.

Should I call my insurance company?

Yes — open the claim early, even before you have every detail. Photograph the damage before cleanup, save receipts for emergency supplies, and keep the claim number with the paperwork from anyone who does work.

What are the red flags when hiring in an emergency?

Full cash payment demanded up front, no license or insurance to show, pressure to sign immediately, and no written scope. Any one of those is a reason to slow down and get another quote.

What number do I call for water damage?

Call (317) 953-9223. It is answered 24/7 for water damage and other home emergencies.