What to Do First After Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage doesn't wait — and neither should you. Whether it's a burst pipe, a flooded basement, or a washing machine overflow, the first 24 hours after water damage are the most critical. The decisions you make in those hours can mean the difference between a manageable cleanup and a full-scale structural restoration.

At Burke Emergency Restoration, we've responded to thousands of water damage emergencies across New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. Here's exactly what we tell homeowners to do the moment they discover water damage.

1. Stop the Source of Water First

Before anything else, stop the water from coming in. If it's a burst pipe, shut off the main water supply to your home. If it's a roof leak during a storm, you may need to wait it out — but move valuables away from the affected area immediately.

If you're not sure where your main shutoff valve is, now is a good time to find out. It's typically located in the basement, crawl space, or near the water meter outside your home.

2. Cut the Power to Affected Areas

Water and electricity are a deadly combination. If water has reached any electrical outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel, do not enter the area until the power has been shut off at the breaker box.

If your breaker box is in the flooded area, call your utility company or a licensed electrician before entering. Never assume the power is off — always verify.

3. Document Everything Before Cleanup Begins

Take photos and video of all affected areas before you move anything or start any cleanup. Walk through every room, capture the waterline on walls, document damaged furniture, flooring, and personal belongings.

This documentation is critical for your insurance claim. The more thorough you are, the smoother the claims process will be. Don't skip this step even if you're eager to start cleaning up.

4. Call Your Insurance Company

Contact your homeowner's insurance provider as soon as possible. Most policies require you to report water damage promptly — delays can complicate or even void your claim.

Your insurance adjuster will want to see your documentation, so having photos and video ready speeds up the process. Ask your insurer specifically:

• Is this type of water damage covered under my policy?
• What is my deductible?
• Do I need to get multiple estimates before work begins?
• Will my policy cover temporary housing if my home is uninhabitable?

5. Call a Professional Restoration Company — Don't Wait

This is the step most homeowners delay, and it's the one that costs them the most in the long run.

Water damage spreads fast. Within 24 to 48 hours, mold can begin to grow in wet building materials. Drywall, insulation, and wood framing absorb moisture quickly and begin to deteriorate. What looks like surface-level water damage on day one can become a mold remediation project by day three.

A professional restoration company like Burke Emergency Restoration has the industrial-grade equipment — high-powered extractors, air movers, dehumidifiers, and moisture meters — to remove water and dry your structure thoroughly and quickly. We also document the drying process for your insurance company.

6. Remove Standing Water If It's Safe to Do So

If the water level is low and there's no electrical hazard, you can begin removing standing water with a wet/dry vacuum or mop while you wait for professionals to arrive. Every minute of contact between water and your floors, walls, and belongings increases the damage.

Do not use a standard household vacuum — it is not designed for water and can be dangerous. A wet/dry shop vac is the right tool for small amounts of standing water.

7. Move Valuables and Furniture Out of Wet Areas

Get furniture, rugs, electronics, documents, and personal items out of the wet area as quickly as possible. Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs to prevent staining on wet carpet.

Soft contents — clothing, bedding, stuffed animals — that have been soaked should be set aside for professional cleaning. Burke Emergency Restoration uses the Esporta Wash System, the most advanced soft contents cleaning machine available, to restore items that would otherwise be considered a total loss.

8. Ventilate the Space

Open windows and doors to increase airflow if the outdoor humidity is lower than indoors. Run fans to begin drying the air. However, be cautious — if outdoor humidity is high (common in New England summers), bringing in outside air can actually slow the drying process. A professional will use commercial dehumidifiers to control humidity precisely.

What NOT to Do After Water Damage

Just as important as knowing what to do is knowing what to avoid:

• Don't use a regular vacuum to remove water — it's dangerous and ineffective.
• Don't turn on ceiling fans if the ceiling is wet — the motor can short out.
• Don't enter rooms with sagging ceilings — they can collapse without warning.
• Don't assume it's dry just because the surface feels dry. Moisture hides inside walls, under floors, and in insulation. Only a moisture meter can confirm true dryness.
• Don't throw anything away before your insurance adjuster has seen it — discarding damaged items before documentation can hurt your claim.

The 24-Hour Rule

Here's the bottom line: mold can begin growing in as little as 24 to 48 hours in wet conditions. The longer water sits in your home, the more damage it causes — and the more expensive the restoration becomes.

Burke Emergency Restoration is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for water damage emergencies throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. When you call us, we respond fast, assess the damage thoroughly, and get the drying process started immediately.

Don't wait. The sooner you call, the more we can save.

Call Burke Emergency Restoration any time at (855) 716-2875 or (603) 716-2921. We're here when you need us most.