Water damage: what to do in the first 24 hours

Water damage gets exponentially worse with every hour of delay. Mold spores germinate within 24–48 hours. Here's what to do in the first day.

Hour 1: stop the water

Find the water shutoff valve (usually near the meter, or where the main line enters the house) and close it. If a leak is from a single appliance, the local shutoff valve under the appliance is faster.

Hour 2: document everything

Take photos of every wet surface, every wet object, the source of the leak, and any visible damage. Insurance adjusters will reject claims without proof of the original state.

Hour 3–6: extract standing water

Wet-vacs and mops work for under an inch. Above that, you need a professional water-damage restoration crew with truck-mounted extraction equipment. Every hour of delay raises the eventual restoration bill by 5–10%.

Hour 24: dehumidifiers running

Even after visible water is gone, the wall cavities, sub-floor, and insulation hold massive amounts of trapped moisture. Industrial dehumidifiers running 24/7 for 3–7 days are standard.

IICRC certification matters

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the gold standard for water-damage pros. Every restoration provider on FixItDial holds active IICRC certification and can bill your insurance directly.