What to Do After Water Damage

Start with safety

Electricity and water together are the single largest hazard in a water loss. Before entering a wet area, consider where outlets, extension cords and equipment sit relative to the water. If reaching the breaker panel means crossing standing water, do not attempt it.

Ceilings holding water are the second concern. A sagging or bulging ceiling is carrying weight it was never designed for, and the area beneath it should be cleared.

Stop the source if you safely can

For a fixture or appliance, the local shut-off is usually within reach. For a supply line failure, the main valve — often near the water meter in a basement or utility room — stops the whole building.

Water entering from outside cannot be shut off. In that case the focus shifts to protecting what has not been affected yet.

Protect what is still dry

Move furniture, boxes and electronics out of the affected room rather than to a corner of it. Humidity travels, and items left in the space keep absorbing moisture.

Lift furniture legs off wet carpet where you can. Wood and metal both transfer staining into carpet fibre quickly.

Document before things change

Photographs taken before anything is moved carry more weight than reconstructions later. Capture wide shots of each room and close-ups of affected materials, and note the time you discovered the damage.

Arrange a moisture assessment

Surfaces dry long before the assemblies behind them do. A metered assessment establishes what is actually wet, which determines whether materials can be dried in place or need removal.