Guide
The first 48 hours after water damage
Most of what decides the size of a water loss happens early. These steps are in the order that usually makes sense.
In order
Make the room safe
Stay out of rooms with sagging ceilings. Keep away from outlets, cords and appliances that sit in or near the water.
Stop the source
Close the valve at the fixture, then the main if you must. Rain and flood water cannot be shut off this way.
Photograph and video
Capture each wet room and each damaged item before you move anything.
Report the loss
Call your insurer as soon as you can. Texas Department of Insurance says most policies carry filing deadlines.
Call for drying
Water that stays in materials past the second day is where mold starts. Ring this line for an independent restoration contractor.
Protect what you can
Lift small furniture onto blocks, take up loose rugs and move valuables to a dry room.
Leave these alone
- A household vacuum on standing water.
- Ceiling fans under a sagging ceiling.
- Electronics that were on the wet floor.
- Wet drywall you plan to keep. Do not paint over it.
- Permanent repairs before the adjuster has seen the damage.
TDI advises temporary repairs only, such as covering a hole, and says to hold off on permanent work until the insurer has looked. Source: Help after a storm.
What to say on the phone
Give the address and the room. Say where the water came from, when it started and whether it is still running.
Mention if the water touched electrical devices, if anyone in the house has asthma or an immune condition, and if a claim is already open.
A note on the 48 hours
The window is not a legal limit. It is a practical one. Porous materials like carpet pad and drywall start to degrade once they have been wet for more than a day or two.
Hard flooring and framing give more time, but the clock still runs.
Water is still moving. Call about it now.
Describe what happened, give the street address, and the call is routed to an independent restoration contractor.