What to Do When You Have Water Damage
Water damage can escalate within minutes. Follow this emergency action guide to stay safe, minimize destruction, and protect your home and belongings.
Quick Summary: Your First 60 Minutes
Safety First: Protect Yourself and Your Family
Before touching anything or wading into standing water, you need to assess the safety of your environment. Water and electricity are a lethal combination, and contaminated water can carry bacteria, chemicals, and sewage. Your health and safety must come before property concerns.
Critical Safety Steps
- Turn off electricity at the breaker if water is near outlets or appliances
- Shut off gas if you smell a gas leak
- Wear rubber boots and gloves before entering standing water
- Evacuate if the water is rising rapidly or structure feels unstable
Electrical Hazards
Never step into standing water if electrical outlets, cords, or appliances are submerged. Even a small amount of current through water can be fatal. If you cannot safely reach your breaker panel, call your electric company to shut off power from outside. If you are in the St. Charles County area, our water damage restoration team can respond within 60 minutes to help assess the situation safely.
Stop the Water Source
If the water damage is coming from a burst pipe, overflowing appliance, or leaking fixture, stopping the source is critical to preventing further damage. Every minute counts — a single burst pipe can release 4 to 8 gallons of water per minute, which means hundreds of gallons can flood your home in under an hour.
Burst Pipe
Locate your main water shutoff valve (usually near the water meter or where the main line enters your home) and turn it off. For our burst pipe repair service, call us immediately for emergency extraction.
Appliance Leak
Turn off the appliance and close the supply valve behind it. Common culprits include water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines.
Flooding or Storm Water
You cannot stop natural flooding, but you can protect valuables by moving them to higher ground. If your basement is flooding, avoid going downstairs until water stops rising.
Document the Damage Thoroughly
Proper documentation is essential for insurance claims and professional restoration. Before you start cleaning up, take the time to record everything. This can make the difference between a fully covered claim and a denied one. Read our complete insurance claims guide for detailed filing instructions.
Documentation Checklist
- Take photos and video of all affected areas from multiple angles
- Photograph damaged belongings, furniture, and personal items
- Note the date, time, and suspected cause of the damage
- Record the water level at its highest point (mark the wall)
- Save receipts for any emergency purchases or temporary repairs
Call a Professional Restoration Company
Water damage restoration is not a DIY project. Professional-grade equipment — including industrial dehumidifiers, air movers, moisture meters, and thermal imaging cameras — is required to properly dry a structure and prevent secondary damage like mold growth. Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure, making speed essential.
Why Choose Fast Restoration?
What NOT to Do After Water Damage
Many homeowners make the damage worse by taking well-intentioned but harmful actions. Avoid these common mistakes to protect both your safety and your property.
Do NOT use a regular household vacuum to remove standing water — it is an electrocution risk
Do NOT turn on ceiling fans or the HVAC system if the ceiling is sagging from water weight
Do NOT enter rooms with sagging ceilings, as they can collapse without warning
Do NOT attempt to remove mold yourself if the area exceeds 10 square feet
Do NOT place newspaper on wet carpets or floors — ink will transfer and stain permanently
Do NOT delay calling professionals — every hour increases damage and cost
What You Can Safely Do While Waiting for Help
Once you have ensured safety, stopped the source, and documented the damage, there are a few safe steps you can take to reduce the impact while waiting for your restoration team to arrive.
- Move lightweight furniture and valuables to dry areas or elevate them on blocks
- Place aluminum foil under furniture legs on wet carpet to prevent staining
- Open windows for ventilation if weather permits and it is safe to do so
- Mop or blot excess water with towels (do not use electrical equipment)
- Remove area rugs and hang them to dry if they are not too heavy
Experiencing Water Damage Right Now?
Do not wait. Every minute counts. Our IICRC-certified team responds within 60 minutes anywhere in St. Charles County and the surrounding area, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.