What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Water Damage
The first day decides how much has to be torn out later. Here is what to do, in order.
Call (747) 500-1000Safety First
Water and electricity don’t mix. If water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, don’t walk through it. Turn off power to wet areas at the breaker only if you can reach the panel while standing somewhere dry. If you can’t, call your utility or an electrician.
Stay out from under sagging ceilings; wet drywall can come down. If the water is sewage or came in from outside, keep children and pets away and wear gloves and boots if you have to enter.
Stop the Water
Close the valve on the leaking fixture or the main shutoff for the house. In most LA homes the main is near the front of the house where the line comes in from the street, often next to a hose bib or a pressure regulator. Water heaters have a cold-water valve on top.
If the source is a unit above you, tell the building manager right away so they can shut it off.
Document Everything
- Take photos and video of every wet room before moving anything.
- Capture the source: the broken hose, the failed fitting, the stain on the ceiling.
- Photograph damaged belongings, with model numbers for electronics and appliances.
- Keep damaged items until your insurer says they can go, or at least keep photos and a list.
Protect What You Can
- Move electronics, documents, photos and rugs out of wet areas.
- Put foil or plastic under furniture legs on wet carpet to keep stains from spreading.
- Hang wet fabrics and lay rugs flat in a dry room.
- Freeze wet paper documents and photos if you can’t dry them right away; it buys time.
Call Your Insurer and a Drying Company
Report the loss early. In California, insurers must acknowledge a claim within 15 days. Most policies also expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, which is why starting drying quickly matters.
Professional drying uses meters to find water inside walls and under floors, and dehumidifiers to remove it. Mold can start growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours.
What Not to Do
- Don’t use a household vacuum on water.
- Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures in a wet ceiling.
- Don’t run the HVAC if the water was dirty or you suspect mold in the ducts.
- Don’t paint, patch or close walls until the materials behind them read dry.
- Don’t throw everything away before it is documented.
Common Questions
How long do I have before mold starts?
Mold can begin growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, which is why drying should start as soon as possible.
Should I call my insurance or a restoration company first?
Either order is fine. Stopping further damage is part of your responsibility, so you can start drying while you open the claim.
Can I use fans and open windows?
Fans move surface air but don’t remove water from walls and subfloors. On humid days, open windows can add moisture.
Tell Us What Happened.
- Call or Text
- (747) 500-1000
- Service Area
- Los Angeles, CA
- Working Hours
- 24/7