Water moves fast and it doesn't wait for business hours. The instinct most people have — to start cleaning up — is actually the right one, but the order matters more than the effort. Here is the sequence we walk every caller through.
1. Stop the source, then stop the power
Find the main shutoff valve before you need it. Once water is flowing, kill power to any wet areas at the breaker before you step into it. Water and electricity are the combination that turns a bad day into a hospital visit.
2. Document everything before you move it
Photos and video of the source, the water line, and every affected room. Insurance adjusters work off documentation, and your claim gets dramatically easier when the before-state is clear.
Pulling standing water within the first 24 hours is the single biggest factor in preventing secondary damage and mold.
3. Call your carrier and a certified mitigation team — in parallel
Don't wait on the insurance adjuster to approve mitigation. Most policies require you to mitigate further damage, and a reputable company will coordinate directly with your carrier on documentation.
- Photograph the source and water line before touching anything
- Move valuables and electronics off wet flooring
- Lift furniture onto blocks or foil to prevent staining
- Do not run fans without commercial dehumidification — it pushes moisture deeper
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