The first hour after water damage

What you do in the first hour protects your family, your house and your insurance claim. Print this or save it to your phone.

Minutes 0–10: Safety and source

• Stay out of standing water that could be in contact with outlets, cords, appliances or the panel.
• If it's a supply pipe, close the main water shutoff.
• If it's coming up from floor drains, stop using water upstairs. Every flush and shower adds to the backup.
• Move children and pets away; sewage and flood water carry bacteria.

Minutes 10–25: Document

• Take a video walk-through, then photos: wide shots of each room, close-ups of damage, the water source, appliance labels and serial numbers.
• Photograph the waterline on walls and furniture before anything is moved.
• Write down when you discovered it and what you saw. Note the weather if it was storming.

Minutes 25–40: Make the calls

• Sewer backup or street flooding? Call your municipality's public works. Find your town.
• Insurance: report the loss to your agent or insurer. The Illinois Department of Insurance advises contacting your agent immediately and describing the damage in detail.
• Restoration help: if there's more water than a wet vac can handle, or it's sewage, you can call (847) 000-0000 to be connected with an independent local provider.

Minutes 40–60: Limit the damage

• Move dry items to a higher floor. Lift furniture onto blocks or foil.
• Make only reasonable temporary repairs, such as a tarp or a bucket, and keep every receipt. Illinois DOI notes insurers reimburse reasonable temporary repair costs.
• For clean water, start removing it and get air moving. For sewage, don't run fans; the EPA says to call a professional.
• Don't throw away damaged items until your adjuster has seen them or you have clear photos. Make an inventory list.

The next 24–48 hours

Drying within 24–48 hours is the EPA's benchmark for preventing mold. Whoever dries your home should be taking moisture readings, not guessing.