Guide
The first 48 hours after water damage
Two days is the working window. EPA says materials dried within 24 to 48 hours after a leak or spill will, in most cases, not grow mold.
Give your ZIP code and say what happened. Calling soon after you find the water helps.
In this order
Make the room safe
Keep out of standing water near outlets, cords or a panel. Prince George's County's drainage guide warns that a small amount of standing water in a basement can shock. If the ceiling sags or bulges, keep out of that room.
Stop the source
Close the shutoff for the appliance, fixture or the whole house. If the water is coming from the street or from a sewer line, report it to the utility. The utilities guide lists the numbers.
Photograph before moving things
Take wide shots of each room, then close shots of the stain, the source and damaged belongings. Note the date and time. Your insurer will want them.
Call your insurer
Ask what it requires before work starts and whether it has a mitigation limit. Policies differ on what counts as sudden, so describe what you saw and when you saw it.
Start removing moisture
Lift small items off wet floors, open interior doors, run fans and a dehumidifier if you own them, and move furniture off wet carpet.
Call a contractor
A restoration contractor can measure what you cannot see. Ask for the license number and a written scope before work begins.
Keep a record
Save receipts, names, claim numbers and what each person told you. A running note on your phone is enough.
What not to do
- Do not use electrical appliances while standing in water.
- Do not paint or caulk over a stain. EPA says to clean and dry the surface first, because paint over a moldy surface peels.
- Do not throw out damaged items before photographing them, unless they are contaminated with sewage.
- Do not assume a dry surface means a dry wall. Moisture sits in framing and subfloor after the surface looks fine.
Water still running or standing?
Call and say where the water is and what caused it. You will be connected with an independent restoration contractor taking calls for your ZIP code.