Emergency guides / Water

What to do in the first hour after a water leak

Water · 2026-10-09

The first hour decides how much of your home can be saved. Here is what to do, in order, and what to leave alone.

Water spreads into drywall, insulation, and flooring within hours. What you do before help arrives matters, but your safety comes first.

1. Make it safe

• If it is safe to reach your electrical panel, turn off power to the affected area.
• Stay out of any room where water is touching outlets, appliances, or the panel. If you are not sure, stay out.
• Stay out from under a ceiling that is sagging, bulging, or dripping heavily. Wet ceilings can collapse.

2. Stop the water

• Find the source: a burst pipe, a failed supply line under a sink or behind a toilet, a leaking water heater, or a roof leak.
• Shut off the fixture's valve if there is one. If not, shut off the main water valve for the house.
• If the water is coming from outside, such as the roof or a window, you cannot stop it yet. Move on to the next step.

3. Document before you move anything

• Take photos and video of the damage and the source. Include wide shots of each room and close-ups of the worst areas.
• Write down what was damaged. Your insurance company will ask.

4. Limit the damage

• Move small furniture, rugs, electronics, and valuables out of the wet area.
• Lift the legs of heavy furniture onto blocks or foil so they do not stain the carpet.
• Mop or blot up small amounts of standing water.

What not to do

• Do not use a household vacuum on water.
• Do not turn on ceiling lights or fans under a wet ceiling.
• Do not walk through standing water if you suspect it touched electrical outlets or came from a toilet, sewer, or flood.
• Do not leave wet drywall, carpet, or padding in place and hope it dries. Hidden moisture is what leads to mold and rot.

Call us early

The sooner drying equipment is running, the more of your home can be saved. Call 818-877-3306 any time, day or night. We will tell you what to do while we are on the way.