Key facts: First hours after a leak
- The EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to limit mold growth.
- Washington health officials warn never to turn on wet electrical appliances.
- Water from a toilet or a drain should be treated as contaminated.
- Photographs taken before cleanup help when talking to an insurer.
First steps
The order to do things in, hour by hour
- 1
Stop the water
Close the valve at the fixture, or close the main. Turn off the water heater if the house will be without water for a time.
- 2
Make it safe
Stay away from wet outlets, cords and panels. If water is near your panel, get someone qualified to deal with it.
- 3
Work out what kind of water it is
Clear supply water is one thing. Anything from a toilet, a drain or outside is another.
- 4
Take photos
Get wide shots of rooms, close-ups of the failed part and any water lines.
- 5
Keep people away
Keep children and pets out, particularly with dirty water.
- 6
Lift and move
Move furniture, rugs and boxes off wet floors, and put foil under furniture legs.
- 7
Remove water you can
Mop or wet-vacuum clean water. Do not use a household vacuum.
- 8
Call for help
Call your insurer and a contractor, and a plumber if the source needs repair.
What you see
Sorting your situation in thirty seconds
| What you see | Probably | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Clear water spraying or running | Supply line or appliance | Close the valve |
| Grey water under a washer or dishwasher | Drain or appliance overflow | Avoid contact and clean up soon |
| Dirty water with an odor | Sewer or drain backup | Stay out and read the sewage page |
| Stain on a ceiling | Leak above, or the roof | Check above and keep clear of sags |
| Water through a door or wall | Surface water or a storm | Treat as contaminated |
| Damp floor with no obvious cause | Hidden leak | Read the water meter with everything off |
A few photographs go a long way
Safety first
The first hour: why electricity comes before water
There is a strong urge to start mopping right away. Pause first. Water conducts electricity, and a flooded room can contain a live outlet or a power strip you cannot see. Washington's health guidance warns against turning on wet electric appliances because they can cause shock, overheating or fire. If you can reach the panel while staying dry and standing on a dry floor, you can turn off the breakers for the affected area. If you cannot, leave it alone and call for help.
Ceilings come next. Water collects above drywall and can make it sag. A bulge can drop suddenly and heavily, so keep out from under it. Move what you can from below it only if you can do so without standing underneath.
Limiting damage
Hours two to six: limiting the spread
Your goal for the next few hours is to keep the wet area from growing. Clean water can be taken up with towels, a mop and a wet vacuum on a protected outlet. Open cabinet doors and drawers in wet rooms. Pull cushions from wet furniture and stand them up, and lift the skirts of sofas and beds off the floor. Rugs can be rolled and moved to somewhere dry. Keep paper, photographs and electronics well away from the wet zone, and do not put anything back yet.
Keep the heat at a normal setting in winter, because a cold house dries slowly. On a dry day, open windows if the air outside is drier than the air inside. Lake Stevens winters are damp, so often it is better to close up and run a dehumidifier. If you see mold already, the EPA says to wait on fans and dehumidifiers until it is gently cleaned. [2]
Leave for later
What to leave alone until someone has looked
- Do not start pulling drywallWait until you know what you are dealing with. Older homes can contain materials that need testing first.
- Do not throw away damaged items too quicklyYour insurer may want to see or list them. Sewage-soaked items are the exception, once they are photographed.
- Do not reconnect appliancesHave wet motors and electrics checked first.
- Do not paint or sealCoatings trap water inside the wall.
- Do not sign something you have not readRead any agreement, and be careful about assigning your insurance benefits.
Finding hidden water
Day two and onward: finding water you cannot see
By the second day, the question shifts from what you can see to what you cannot. Water will have traveled under baseboards, along framing and through to crawlspaces or ceilings below. Moisture meters and thermal cameras find this, and that is what separates drying a room from drying a house. Look for swelling at the base of walls, cupping in wood floors, and any musty smell. If you have a crawlspace, take a look from the hatch.
The EPA's guideline of 24 to 48 hours explains why this stage matters. [1] Getting materials dry within that window limits mold growth, though real timing varies. Our page on structural drying covers what the equipment does and how you can tell when the job is finished.
When you call
Facts to have ready when you call anyone
- When it started and when it stopped.
- The source, or your best guess at it.
- Which rooms and levels got wet, and what kinds of floors and walls they have.
- Whether the home has a crawlspace, slab or basement.
- Whether anyone at home is very young, elderly or in poor health.
- Your insurer's claim number, if you have one by then.
Checking a contractor
Checking the person you hire
You can check a Washington contractor on the state's Verify tool. [8] Run by the Department of Labor and Industries, it shows whether a registration is active, if there are citations or lawsuits against the bond, and whether a workers' compensation account is active. It takes a few minutes and helps you make a decision while under pressure. Ask too about the standard the firm works to. The IICRC S500 is the published water damage standard, and they should be able to tell you whether and how they use it. Be cautious with anyone who wants you to sign in a hurry or who will not put things in writing.
FAQ
First-hours questions from homeowners
Should I call my insurer or a contractor first?
Make it safe first. Then you can do either, in the order that suits your situation. Your policy normally expects you to limit further damage, so getting water out need not wait. Keep notes and photos, and get your claim started soon.
Can I use a regular vacuum on wet carpet?
No. A household vacuum is not designed for water, and it creates a real shock risk. Use a wet vacuum plugged into a protected outlet that is well away from the wet area, or leave it for those with the right equipment.
Should I turn off the power to the whole house?
Only if you can reach the panel while standing on dry ground, and if the water affects circuits you cannot isolate. If the panel is wet or you would have to walk through water to reach it, stay out and call a qualified person.
Is it okay to run fans on a wet floor?
For clean water with no visible mold, yes, fans help. If the water came from a drain or you can see mold, hold off, as fans could spread contamination. In damp weather, a dehumidifier is often a useful addition.
How long do I have before it gets worse?
The EPA advises drying within 24 to 48 hours to limit mold growth. Other damage, such as swelling of cabinets, can start sooner. Start as soon as it is safe, and do not wait for a set deadline.
Can I wait until Monday if the leak is stopped?
It depends on what is wet and how much. A small clean spill may be fine with fans. If water went into walls, carpet or a crawlspace, waiting allows it to spread and makes mold more likely. Ask for advice now.
Sources and citations
- [1]A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home (US EPA)
- [2]Flood cleanup to protect indoor air and your health (US EPA)
- [3]Floods: cleaning a basement (Washington State Department of Health)
- [4]Flood cleanup (Washington State Department of Health)
- [5]Sewage spills: cleaning them up (Washington State Department of Health)
- [6]ANSI/IICRC S500 water damage restoration standard
- [7]Flood insurance (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner)
- [8]Verify a contractor, tradesperson or business (Washington L&I)
