What to Do After Water Damage in Your House

Every minute counts when water damages your home. Knowing what to do next can save you time and money while making the problem easier to deal with. Learn what to do immediately after water damage to prevent further property damage while you wait for professional help.

Step 1: Ensure Safety for Everyone

Before attempting anything, do the following to make your home safe to enter:

• Turn off electricity: If it’s safe, go to your breaker box and switch off power to affected areas. Call your local electrician or gas company and leave the house if water reaches the outlets, you see sparks, or you smell gas.
• Identify the water source: If the leak comes from a broken pipe or appliance, shut off the main water valve to stop the flow. The valve sits near your water meter or where the main line enters the house. Knowing the location of your home’s main water shut-off valve and how to shut it off quickly can help minimize future damage if another leak occurs.
• Stay away from standing water: Standing water, especially if it’s flood water or overflows from drain pipes, may contain sewage, chemicals, and other harmful materials. Wear boots and gloves if you must step into wet areas, and don’t let your family or pets roam around until the professionals arrive.

Step 2: Document the Damage and Call for Help

Once it’s safe to enter the affected area, document the damage and get professional water damage restoration support.

Take Photos and Videos

Photograph and take videos of every affected room and any damaged belongings before moving anything. These records support your insurance claim.

Contact a Restoration Professional

Contact your local restoration company to dry the space with professional equipment, assess the extent of the water damage, and begin cleanup. The affected areas need to be dried quickly to prevent your walls, floors, and foundation from absorbing the water and creating the perfect conditions for mold growth. If you can’t find the source of the leak, call a plumber right away. Right Restoration Partners can help with both the plumbing and restoration.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the incident to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Share your photos and give a short description of what happened. We understand that navigating insurance claims can be confusing, especially when you’re unsure what’s covered or whether you need prior approval before restoration work can begin. That’s why we work directly with all insurance companies and handle the paperwork for you to simplify the process and save you time.

Contact Us for Residential Water Damage Restoration

Right Restoration Partners is available 24/7 to answer your call and ensure your project is Done Right, Right Now, Guaranteed! We’ll set up industrial drying equipment and monitor your home over the next few days until it’s dry. We can also help with reconstruction and restoration or mold removal and remediation if needed. Throughout the process, a recovery manager will stay in touch, so you always have one point of contact who knows your case and keeps you informed.

Contact our team for a free quote today.