Water Damage Emergency Checklist

Immediately — first 5 minutes

1. 1Shut off the water at the source, or at the main if you cannot identify it
2. 2Cut power to the affected area at the breaker — only if you can reach it without standing in water
3. 3Get everyone away from sagging ceilings and standing water near outlets
4. 4Note the time you discovered the water; your adjuster will ask

Within 30 minutes

1. 1Photograph and video everything before moving a single item
2. 2Call for professional extraction
3. 3Move electronics, documents and irreplaceable items to a dry level
4. 4Block furniture legs up off wet carpet with foil or wood
5. 5Lift drapes and remove area rugs from wet hardwood

Within 24 hours

1. 1Open your insurance claim and record the claim number
2. 2Keep every receipt — emergency purchases are often reimbursable
3. 3Start a written log of who came, when, and what they did
4. 4Do not throw damaged items away until they are documented
5. 5Do not sign anything that assigns your insurance benefits without reading it fully

Information to have ready when you call

• Property address and best contact number
• Water source, if known, and roughly when it started
• Number of rooms and floors affected
• Whether the water is clean, grey or sewage
• Whether anyone in the household has asthma or is immunocompromised
• Insurance carrier and policy number, if you have it to hand