Water damage rarely shows up at a convenient time. A supply line bursts behind the washer, the water heater lets go overnight, or a storm pushes water under the back door. Whatever the cause, what you do in the first day makes a big difference in how much you end up replacing.
The EPA advises drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold growth. In Houston humidity, that clock matters. Here’s what to do, in order.
1. Make sure everyone is safe
Before you step into standing water, think about electricity. If water is anywhere near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, don’t wade in. If you can reach your breaker panel without standing in water, shut off power to the affected area. If you can’t, call an electrician or the utility. Also watch for sagging ceilings, which can come down without much warning when they’re holding water.
2. Stop the water
For a plumbing leak, shut off the main water valve. In most Houston homes it’s near where the line comes in from the street, sometimes in a box by the curb, sometimes in the garage. It’s worth finding it now, before you need it. For a roof leak, put buckets under the drips and, if it’s safe, poke a small hole in a bulging ceiling spot so the water drains in one place instead of spreading.
3. Figure out what kind of water it is
Not all water is the same. Clean water from a supply line is the least risky. Water from a washing machine or dishwasher overflow is dirtier. Floodwater from outside, or anything that came up from a drain or toilet, can carry sewage and bacteria. If it’s floodwater or sewage, keep kids and pets away, don’t try to clean it up with household tools, and wear gloves and boots if you have to go in at all.
4. Take photos and video before you move anything
Your insurance company will want to see what happened. Walk through and record everything: the source of the water, how high it got, damaged flooring, walls, furniture and belongings. Then call your insurance company to start a claim and ask what they need from you. Keep receipts for anything you spend on cleanup or temporary repairs.
5. Get water out and air moving
- Mop up or wet-vac standing water if it’s clean water and safe to do so.
- Move furniture off wet carpet. Put foil or wood blocks under the legs of anything you can’t move, so the stain doesn’t bleed into the carpet.
- Pull up area rugs and get them somewhere they can dry.
- Get valuables, photos and documents out of the wet area first.
- Run the AC to pull moisture out of the air, and open closet and cabinet doors in the affected rooms.
Don’t use a regular household vacuum on water, and don’t turn on ceiling fans or lights if the ceiling is wet.
6. Don’t assume it’s dry because it feels dry
This is where a lot of people get caught out. Carpet can feel dry on top while the pad underneath is still soaked. Water wicks up into drywall and soaks into the bottom plates of walls and the subfloor. Those hidden spots are where mold and odors start, sometimes weeks later. If more than a small area got wet, or the water sat for more than a few hours, it’s worth having it checked properly.
7. Call for help early
The sooner drying starts, the more you can usually save. Waiting a few days to see if it dries on its own is often what turns a weekend problem into ripped-out flooring and drywall.
Key Cleaning and Restoration Services handles water damage restoration in Houston, and our water damage line is answered 24/7. Call (713) 570-6282, day or night. For anything that isn’t an emergency, you can request a quote online.