Water damage: what to do in the first 48 hours
What to do right now
Turn off the water at the main valve, then turn off power at the breaker only if you can reach it without standing in water (Red Cross, CDC). Photograph the damage before you clean, call your insurer, and save damaged items for the adjuster (NAIC). Get everything dry within 24 to 48 hours, which EPA and CDC say prevents most mold. If the water came from a sewer line, toilet or flood, treat it as contaminated and stop.
On this page
First hour: stop the water and stay safe
- Turn off the water at the main valve. Red Cross says to do this if water pipes are damaged.
- Keep away from wet outlets, cords and appliances.
- Turn off power at the main breaker only if you can reach it from a dry spot. CDC says if you would have to stand in water to reach it, call an electrician.
- Stay out from under any sagging ceiling. Red Cross warns it may collapse.
- Check where the water came from. If it came from a toilet, sewer line or outside flooding, it may be Category 3 water. Stop and use our sewage backup steps or flood steps.
First 24 hours: document, then call your insurer
- Take photos and video of every wet room, ceiling, floor and item before you move anything. NAIC says to document damage before removing debris or belongings.
- Call your insurer. NAIC notes many companies have deadlines for reporting claims. Write down the claim number and the name of the person you spoke to.
- Make small repairs that stop more damage, like moving belongings or putting down a tarp. Keep the receipts. NAIC says insurers typically repay these costs if the loss is covered.
- Keep damaged items for the adjuster to see, if you safely can.
- Read anything a restoration company asks you to sign. In Florida, post-loss assignment of benefits is void for policies issued on or after January 1, 2023 (Fla. Stat. §627.7152).
24 to 48 hours: dry it out
- Remove standing water with a wet/dry vacuum, mop or pump.
- Run fans and a dehumidifier. Open windows if the air outside is drier.
- Pull up wet rugs and move furniture off wet floors.
- EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
- If walls, floors or insulation are still wet after a day, call a water damage pro. They use moisture meters to find water you cannot see.
After 48 hours: what comes next
Learn the difference between water mitigation and restoration so you know what you are paying for. Compare quotes against our water damage restoration cost page. For the claim, read does homeowners insurance cover water damage and how to file a water damage claim. If you see or smell mold, our mold first 48 hours page has the next steps. Everything else is on the water damage hub.
When to call a pro
- Water came from a sewer line, toilet overflow, or outside flooding.
- Water reached the electrical panel, outlets or wiring.
- A ceiling is sagging or a floor feels soft.
- Water soaked into walls, under floors or into insulation.
- Things are still wet after 24 hours of fans and dehumidifiers.
- The leak is inside a wall or slab and you cannot find it.
Common mistakes
- Cleaning up before taking photos. NAIC says document damage before you remove debris or belongings.
- Throwing away damaged items before the adjuster sees them.
- Using a household vacuum on water. Use a wet/dry vacuum or a pro's extractor.
- Waiting to see if it dries on its own. Mold can start within 24 to 48 hours.
- Signing an assignment of benefits form the day of the leak without reading it.
Water damage: first 48 hours
Questions people ask
Where is my main water shut-off valve?
It is usually where the water line enters the house, such as a basement, crawl space, garage or utility closet. Many homes also have a valve near the water meter. Red Cross says to turn off the water at the main valve when pipes are damaged. If you cannot find it or it will not close, call your water utility.
Will homeowners insurance pay for this?
It depends on your policy and the cause. Many policies treat sudden leaks, like a burst pipe, differently from slow leaks or flooding. Call your insurer, read your declarations page, and see our guide to water damage coverage. Do not assume either way until you have read the policy.
How long does it take for water damage to cause mold?
EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. CDC gives the same 24 to 48 hour window after floods. That is why fast drying matters more than anything else in the first two days.
Sources
- Checking Your Home's Utilities, American Red Cross (accessed 2026-10-19)
- Guidelines for Cleaning Safely After a Disaster, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (August 26, 2026)
- Floods, Ready.gov (FEMA) (October 17, 2024)
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (February 18, 2026)
- Navigating the Claims Process: Recover and Rebuild, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (June 23, 2021)
- Checking Your Home After a Fire (structure and utilities checks), American Red Cross (accessed 2026-10-19)
- Category of Water Damage and Weather-Related Events (position statement, citing ANSI/IICRC S500), Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (March 16, 2026)
- Florida Statutes §627.7152, Assignment agreements, The Florida Senate (2025)
Safety note. This page follows CDC, Ready.gov, FEMA and American Red Cross guidance; it cannot see your home. Return home only when authorities say it is safe. When in doubt, wait for a professional.
How this page was made. Drafted with AI assistance from the public agency, statute and industry sources listed above, then edited and published by Vincent Wallace. An independent expert has not yet reviewed this page; when one does, their name and the review date will appear at the top. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.