When water enters your home unexpectedly—whether from a burst pipe, leaking roof, overflowing appliance, or heavy rain—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Water damage can spread quickly, seeping into floors, walls, and furniture within minutes. But the actions you take in the first 24 hours can make all the difference between a quick recovery and long-term damage.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step, so you can protect your home, your health, and your peace of mind.
Step 1: Prioritise Safety Above All Else
Before you do anything, make sure it’s safe to enter or remain in the affected area.
Turn off electricity if water has reached outlets, cords, or electrical appliances. Never step into standing water with power still on.
Avoid slipping hazards—wet floors are dangerous even if the water looks clean.
Watch for structural damage. If ceilings are sagging or floors feel soft, evacuate and call for help immediately.
Protect yourself. Wear waterproof boots, gloves, and if possible, a mask—especially if the water could be contaminated by sewage or chemicals.
Your safety comes first. No piece of furniture or flooring is worth risking injury.
Step 2: Identify and Stop the Source of Water
The sooner you locate the source, the less water will spread.
If it’s a burst pipe, shut off your home’s main water valve.
For an appliance leak, unplug it and turn off the supply line.
If the water is coming from outside (stormwater or flooding), focus on preventing further intrusion with towels, sandbags, or temporary barriers.
Once the flow stops—or slows—you can begin containing the damage.
Step 3: Document Everything Before Cleanup Begins
It’s tempting to start mopping right away, but pause for a few minutes to take photos and videos of all affected areas. This is critical for insurance claims later.
Capture wide shots of each room.
Zoom in on damaged items, flooring, or furniture.
Include timestamps if possible.
Keep damaged items for inspection unless they pose a health risk. Proper documentation helps prove the extent of your loss and ensures fair compensation.
Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company
Most homeowner’s policies cover certain types of water damage—but not all. The faster you contact your insurer, the smoother the process will be.
Explain what happened, share your documentation, and ask about your coverage. Your insurance representative can guide you through the next steps and may recommend an approved restoration company to assess and mitigate the damage.
If you’re unsure what’s covered, don’t delay the cleanup while you wait. Water spreads fast—your policy will not penalise you for taking reasonable steps to prevent further harm.
Step 5: Contact a Professional Restoration Company
Even if the damage looks minor, professional help is essential. Water hides in walls, floors, and subflooring where you can’t see it. Left untreated, it leads to mould, structural deterioration, and lingering odours.
A certified restoration team uses industrial-grade extraction equipment, dehumidifiers, and thermal imaging to find and remove hidden moisture. They’ll also sanitise affected areas to prevent bacterial growth and start drying immediately—often within hours of arrival.
Quick professional intervention can save thousands of dollars in long-term repairs.
Step 6: Begin Removing Excess Water (Safely)
If you’ve confirmed it’s safe and your power is off, you can start removing water while waiting for professionals.
Use mops, towels, or a wet/dry vacuum for smaller puddles.
Move furniture, rugs, and valuables out of wet areas.
Open doors, windows, and cabinets to promote airflow.
Remove area rugs from wet floors to avoid staining or warping.
Avoid using a regular household vacuum—it’s not designed for water and can cause electrocution or equipment damage.
Step 7: Separate Damaged and Salvageable Items
Not everything exposed to water is lost, but acting fast is key.
Porous materials like carpets, insulation, and upholstered furniture often need to be replaced if soaked.
Hard surfaces such as metal, plastic, and sealed wood can often be cleaned and disinfected.
Personal items—documents, photographs, and heirlooms—should be set aside in a dry space. Restoration experts can often recover them if treated promptly.
When in doubt, don’t throw away valuable items until an expert evaluates them.
Step 8: Prevent Mould Growth
Mould can begin forming within 24–48 hours of water exposure. To stop it before it starts:
Keep humidity levels low by running fans or dehumidifiers.
Open windows when weather permits for ventilation.
Disinfect surfaces with a mild bleach solution (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water).
Dry hidden spaces—behind baseboards, under sinks, and in closets—thoroughly.
If you notice a musty smell or visible mould, stop DIY cleanup and call a professional immediately. Mould spreads quickly and can pose serious health risks.
Step 9: Start the Drying Process
Drying out a home completely takes more than wiping up visible water. Professionals use specialised drying systems that pull moisture from deep inside building materials.
Depending on the extent of the damage, the process may take 3–5 days or longer. The goal isn’t just to make things look dry—it’s to ensure moisture levels are low enough to prevent structural damage or microbial growth.
During this phase, restoration teams monitor moisture levels daily and adjust equipment to ensure complete drying.
Step 10: Check for Secondary Damage
Even after visible water is gone, hidden issues can remain:
- Warped wood floors
- Peeling paint or wallpaper
- Discoloration on walls or ceilings
- Persistent odours
Catching these signs early allows for targeted repairs before they turn into costly replacements.
Step 11: Plan for Repairs and Prevention
Once your home is dry and safe, focus on rebuilding and preventing a repeat incident.
Replace damaged flooring, drywall, and insulation.
Inspect your roof, gutters, and plumbing for weak points.
Install water leak detectors or automatic shutoff valves for extra peace of mind.
Schedule routine maintenance checks, especially before storm season.
The goal is to restore—not just repair—your home to a safe, comfortable state.
Step 12: Take a Breath — and Learn from the Experience
Experiencing water damage is stressful. But once the cleanup and repairs are complete, take a moment to reflect on what worked and what didn’t.
Was your insurance easy to contact? Did you have an emergency plan or contact list ready?
Taking small steps now—like preparing an emergency folder, keeping valuables off floors, or knowing where your shutoff valve is—can make future incidents far less disruptive.
The first 24 hours after water damage are the most critical. Quick, calm action protects your home, prevents further loss, and makes restoration smoother. While it’s natural to feel shaken, remember: most water damage can be reversed with prompt, professional help.
If your home or business has suffered water damage, don’t wait. Call Restoration 1 today—we’re available 24/7 to help you clean, dry, and restore your property with care and expertise.