What to Do in the First 24 to 48 Hours After Water Damage

First minutes: safety

Do these before anything else.

• Electricity and water do not mix. If water is near outlets, appliances, the panel or cords, do not walk through it. If you can reach the main breaker safely without stepping in water, turn off power to the affected area or the whole house. If you cannot reach it safely, stay out and call your electric utility or an electrician.
• Never touch electrical items while standing in water or when wet.
• Smell gas? Leave the house, do not use switches or phones inside, and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
• Sewage, floodwater or water that looks or smells bad is unsafe. Do not wade in it. Keep children and pets away.
• Ceiling sagging or bulging with water? Stay out from under it. Water-heavy drywall can fall.
• Call 911 for fire, gas smell, injury, a person trapped, or any immediate danger.

The American Red Cross has general flood safety guidance at redcross.org.

Hour 0 to 1: stop the source

If the water is coming from your plumbing, find the main water shutoff valve and close it. In many Katy-area homes it is near the water meter at the street, near the front of the house, or in a utility area or garage. Know where yours is before you need it. If you cannot find or turn it, call a plumber.

For a leaking water heater, close the cold water inlet valve on the heater and turn off its power or gas supply if you can do so safely. For a burst pipe, see our burst pipes guide. If the water is from rain or flooding outside, you cannot stop the source, so focus on safety and documentation.

Hour 1 to 3: photos, video and a few calls

Before you move or throw out anything, document it.

1. Take wide photos of each affected room.
2. Take close-ups of the source, the damaged materials, and any wet belongings.
3. Record a slow video walkthrough, narrating what you see.
4. Write down the time you found it and the time you shut the water off.

Then make your calls.

• Your insurer. Report the loss and ask about your deductible and what they want from you. Our guide on homeowners insurance and water damage explains the general rules. Check your own policy.
• A plumber if the source is a failed pipe, fixture or fitting. A plumber must repair the plumbing. In Texas, plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.
• A water damage restoration company. You can request help and we work to connect you with an independent local pro. The pro's own schedule sets the timing, and they give their own estimate.

Hour 3 to 12: protect what you can

If it is safe and the water is clean, such as from a supply line:

• Move valuables and small furniture to a dry room. Lift photos, papers, electronics, medications and keepsakes first.
• Put aluminum foil or plastic under furniture legs on wet carpet to keep stains from transferring.
• Remove standing water with towels, a mop, or a wet vacuum made for water. Do not use a regular household vacuum on wet floors.
• Lift area rugs and wet cushions and prop them up to dry.
• Pull wet items away from walls so air can circulate.
• Open interior doors and cabinet doors. Open windows if the weather is dry and it is safe. Run fans.
• Run your air conditioning if it is safe and not affected by the water. Use dehumidifiers if you have them.

Hour 12 to 24: start drying carefully

Drying is the main event. The goal is to get moisture out of building materials, not just remove visible water. Wet drywall, subfloor and insulation can hold moisture long after the surface feels dry.

• Keep fans and dehumidifiers running steadily.
• Do not wait for things to dry on their own, especially in humid Gulf Coast weather. Houston-area humidity slows drying.
• Check behind baseboards and under flooring where moisture hides.
• Keep notes. Moisture readings from a pro help show what is truly dry.

This is where a restoration company usually comes in. A pro typically uses meters to find hidden moisture, extracts water, and sets drying equipment. See emergency water removal and our overview of water damage restoration in Katy. For cost context, read the restoration cost guide.

The mold clock: 24 to 48 hours

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold growth. The EPA also notes that porous materials that stay wet, such as ceiling tiles, insulation and some carpet, may be hard to save and may need to be removed. Learn more at epa.gov/mold.

That window is a reason to move quickly, not a reason to panic. If you pass it, it does not mean mold is certain. It does mean you should check carefully, and talk with a pro. Read more about mold after water damage.

Texas licenses mold assessors and remediators through the TDLR for projects over a threshold size. Confirm current rules at tdlr.texas.gov.

Hour 24 to 48: check, record and decide

• Look and smell for musty odors, dark spots, bubbling paint or warped flooring.
• Update your photos and notes.
• Keep receipts for supplies, equipment, hotels and food.
• Decide what can be saved and what is a loss. Do not throw out large items until you have documented them and spoken with your insurer.
• Schedule any follow-up work, such as drywall removal or flooring replacement.

What not to do

• Do not use a household vacuum on standing water.
• Do not turn on ceiling fixtures or fans under a wet ceiling.
• Do not use electrical appliances that were in or near water until they are checked.
• Do not wade through standing water with power on.
• Do not mix cleaners. Bleach plus ammonia makes toxic gas.
• Do not heat a room hard to dry it fast without guidance. Heat can warp materials and encourage mold in the wrong conditions.
• Do not ignore it. A small wet spot can turn into a bigger problem.
• Do not sign anything you do not understand.
• Do not skip photos because it feels slow. They matter later.

When to call a pro

Consider calling a restoration company if:

• Water has been present for more than a day
• It has soaked into carpet, pad, drywall, subfloor or insulation
• It came from a gray or black water source
• It is in more than one room or on more than one level
• You cannot dry it yourself, or you are unsure it is truly dry
• Your insurer asks for professional drying documentation

For flooding from outside, also see flood water cleanup.

Sources

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold and moisture guidance: epa.gov/mold
• American Red Cross, flood safety: redcross.org
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, mold: tdlr.texas.gov

This is general information and not professional advice.