Emergency Water Damage:Do This Before Anything Else

Treat it as urgent when water is still flowing, reaches electrical equipment, comes from sewage, covers more than one room, or threatens a ceiling. A slow stain that has stopped growing can usually wait for a daytime call.

Timing depends on your area and the time of day, so the contractor on the call will tell you what they can offer.

Wet drywall and carpet start absorbing more water with every hour, and warmth speeds things up. The sooner water is removed, the more of your home can be dried and kept.^[2] See water extraction and what happens during drying.

Once the water has stopped, attention turns to the clock. Wet carpet should be lifted, furniture moved or blocked up, and rooms kept ventilated if outdoor air is drier than indoor air. Keep receipts for anything you buy and for any hotel stay, and do not throw away damaged belongings until they have been photographed and listed.

You do not need much. Say where the water is coming from, whether it has stopped, how many rooms are affected, and whether anyone in the home has health concerns. Mention whether electricity is on in the wet area. Give the address and the best way in. If you rent, have the landlord's contact to hand, since they will usually need to approve work on the building.