Start with safety
Water and electricity are the immediate concern, particularly in basements where panels and outlets sit low.
- Avoid standing water near outlets, panels or appliances
- Do not use household vacuums to remove water
- Keep children and pets out of the affected area
- Watch for sagging ceilings, which can fail without warning
Stop the water where you safely can
If the source is a plumbing supply, closing the fixture valve or the main shut-off stops further loss. If the source is outside the property, focus on containment instead.
Limit the spread
Moving contents out of the water prevents them absorbing more, and prevents the water absorbing what they carry.
- Lift furniture off wet flooring or place blocks under legs
- Remove books, boxes and textiles from the floor
- Open interior doors so air can move
- Do not lift wet carpet on your own if the water may be contaminated
Document before cleanup
Photographs and short videos taken before anything is moved are usually the most useful record for an insurance claim. Note the date, the time you discovered it and what you believe caused it.
Get an assessment
Surface water is only part of the picture. A moisture assessment identifies where water travelled inside walls, floors and cavities so drying can target the right materials.