What to do in the first hour after water damage
1. Stop the water
Find the main shutoff. In most DFW homes it's in the meter box near the street, or on a valve where the line enters the house in the garage or near the water heater. If the leak is from one fixture, close the valve under the sink, behind the toilet or behind the washer.
2. Make it safe
Water and electricity are the biggest risk. If water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, don't walk through it.
- Turn off breakers for wet rooms only if you can reach the panel on dry ground
- Stay out from under sagging ceilings
- Keep children and pets away, especially from sewage or floodwater
3. Document before you clean
Your insurer will want to see the damage as it was. Take wide photos of each room, close-ups of damaged materials and belongings, and a photo or video of the source. Keep damaged items until your adjuster says they can go.
4. Protect what you can
- Move furniture off wet carpet, or put foil or plastic under the legs
- Lift rugs, curtains and anything on the floor
- Move electronics, papers and photos to a dry room
- Run the AC to keep humidity down
5. Call for extraction
Every hour water sits, more of it soaks into drywall, pad and subfloor. Professional extraction and structural drying within the first day make the biggest difference in what can be saved. Then report the claim to your insurer.
When to call a professional
Call for help when water has soaked carpet or reached walls, when it came through a ceiling, when it's sewage or floodwater, or when more than a few square feet are wet. The restoration company maps moisture, extracts, sets drying equipment and documents for insurance.
Questions
Should I call my insurance company first?
Stop the water and prevent further damage first; policies expect that. Then report the claim the same day if you can.
Can I use fans to dry it myself?
Box fans help surfaces but not the inside of walls or pad. For anything beyond a small, clean spill, professional drying with moisture readings is safer.
This guide is general information for Texas homeowners, not legal, insurance or safety advice for your situation. Check your policy and follow local codes.
