What to Do in the First Hour After a Water Loss

A pipe bursts. The water heater fails. The washing machine overflows. Whatever the cause, you now have water spreading through your home. What you do in the next 60 minutes can mean the difference between a contained problem and a major reconstruction project.

Step 1: Stop the Water Source

Before anything else, stop more water from coming in. If you can identify the source, shut it off. For a burst pipe, turn off the water main. For an appliance, unplug it and close the supply valve. For a roof leak, you may not be able to stop it, but you can redirect water with buckets or tarps.

Every minute of continued water flow makes the damage worse. Stopping the source is the single most important thing you can do.

Step 2: Ensure Safety

Water and electricity do not mix. If there is any chance that water has reached electrical outlets, panels, or appliances, do not wade through it. Turn off power at the breaker if you can do so safely. If you cannot reach the panel safely, wait for help.

Also consider the water source. Sewage backups, flooding from outside, and some appliance failures involve contaminated water. Avoid contact with this water until professionals can assess it.

Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company

Report the loss to your insurance carrier immediately. Most carriers have 24/7 claims lines. The sooner they know about the loss, the sooner they can dispatch help or authorize you to hire a contractor.

Have your policy number ready if possible. Describe the situation clearly: what happened, when it happened, and what you have done so far.

Step 4: Document Conditions

Before you start cleaning up, take photos and videos of everything. Document where the water is, how deep it is, what items are affected. These photos will be important for your insurance claim.

Walk through each affected room and record what you see. Open cabinets and closets. Look behind furniture. The more complete your documentation, the smoother the claims process will be.

Step 5: Start Basic Mitigation

If you can do so safely, start reducing the damage. Mop up standing water. Move furniture out of wet areas. Lift curtains and drapes off wet floors. Open windows and doors to increase airflow if weather permits.

You are not expected to solve the problem yourself. But reasonable steps to limit damage are both smart and often required by insurance policies.

What Happens Next

Your insurance carrier will either dispatch a restoration contractor or authorize you to hire one. Professional mitigation typically begins with water extraction, followed by drying, cleaning, and eventually reconstruction if needed.

The faster professional help arrives, the more damage can be prevented. This is why quick reporting matters.