Water Damage: Your First-Hour Checklist
Last reviewed: · By Flood Zone San Diego
In the first hour: stay safe from electricity, stop the water at the source or main shutoff, photograph everything, move valuables off wet floors, and get professional extraction started. The EPA's guidance is to dry water-damaged materials within 24–48 hours to help prevent mold growth (EPA).
1. Stay safe (first 5 minutes)
- If water is near outlets, cords or appliances, don't walk through it.
- Turn off breakers for wet areas only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot. If not, wait for a professional or the utility.
- If the water is sewage or outside floodwater, keep kids and pets away. Treat it as contaminated.
- If a ceiling is sagging, stay out from under it.
2. Stop the water (5–15 minutes)
- Burst pipe or supply line: close the fixture valve, or the home's main shutoff. In many San Diego homes the main is near the front hose bib, in the garage, or at the meter box near the curb.
- Water heater: close the cold-water valve on top. Turn the gas to off or pilot, or switch off the breaker for an electric heater.
- Toilet: close the valve behind the toilet.
- Roof leak: put buckets under drips. If the ceiling bulges, a small hole can release trapped water in a controlled way. Only do this if you can do it safely.
- Outside water: sandbags and moving items up are the best you can do until the water drops.
3. Document (15–25 minutes)
- Take photos and video of the source, the water and every damaged room before moving things.
- Get close-ups of damaged items, including brand and model labels.
- Write down when you found the water and what you did.
4. Protect your belongings (25–45 minutes)
- Move electronics, papers, photos and rugs to a dry area.
- Put foil, wood blocks or plastic under furniture legs.
- Hang wet curtains and lift skirts off the floor.
- Don't use a household vacuum on water.
- Don't turn on the HVAC if ducts may be wet or contaminated.
5. Get drying started (45–60 minutes)
- Call for professional water extraction if water has soaked carpet, gone under walls, or involves sewage or floodwater.
- Call your insurer to report the claim and write down the claim number.
- If you rent, tell your landlord or property manager in writing.
What not to do
- Don't wait to see if it dries on its own. Hidden moisture in walls and subfloors is what causes mold and warped floors later.
- Don't throw away damaged items before the adjuster sees them or you've photographed them.
- Don't sign a contract on the spot under pressure. Emergency extraction is fine; get a written estimate for the rest.
Know your water category
| Category | What it is | Typical sources |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 — clean water | From a sanitary source; lowest risk if handled quickly | Broken supply line, burst pipe, overflowing sink |
| Category 2 — gray water | Some contamination; can cause illness | Washing machine or dishwasher overflow, toilet overflow (urine only) |
| Category 3 — black water | Grossly contaminated; most hazardous | Sewage backup, outside floodwater, river or storm flooding |
Categories come from the IICRC S500 standard for professional water damage restoration. Clean water can become Category 2 or 3 if it sits.
Frequently asked questions
Where is my main water shutoff?
In many San Diego homes it's near the front hose bib, in the garage, or in the meter box near the curb (which may need a meter key). Find it before you need it.
Should I turn off the electricity?
Only for wet areas, and only if you can reach the breaker panel without standing in water. If you can't, keep away and let a professional or the utility handle it.
How fast does mold start?
The EPA's guidance is to dry water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold growth, which is why speed matters.