The short answer
In the first hour, stop the water, make the area safe and photograph everything. Within the first few hours, get standing water out and call a restoration company and your insurer. Drying should be underway within 24 hours and well along by 48, because the EPA's guidance is to respond to water damage within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. Here's the hour-by-hour version.
On this page
Hour 0 to 1: stop it and stay safe
- Close the main water valve, usually where the water line enters the house near the meter, or the valve under the leaking fixture.
- If water is near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel, stay out of it. Turn off breakers only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
- Keep people and pets away from sagging ceilings and wet floors.
- Take wide photos and video of every wet room, the source and the water line on walls before you move anything.
Hours 1 to 6: get help and get water out
- Call a water damage restoration company. If a pipe or appliance is still leaking, call a plumber too.
- Call your insurer to report the claim and ask what they need.
- Move rugs, electronics, papers, photos and small furniture to a dry room.
- Put foil or plastic under furniture legs that have to stay on wet carpet.
- Leave standing water and soaked carpet to professional water extraction, which removes far more water than towels or a wet vac.
Hours 6 to 24: drying begins
A restoration crew maps moisture with meters, removes what can't be saved and sets up air movers and dehumidifiers. Expect decisions about materials: the EPA's guidance says wet ceiling tiles and insulation should be discarded and replaced, while drywall may be dried in place if there's no obvious swelling and the seams are intact. Ask for daily moisture readings. See structural drying.
Hours 24 to 48: stay ahead of mold
Keep the drying equipment running unless the company says otherwise. Keep doors and windows closed if dehumidifiers are running, so they aren't drying the outdoors. Watch for musty smells or spots on walls and baseboards. The EPA notes that mold growth may have occurred even when materials are dried within 48 hours, so anything that stayed wet longer deserves a close look. See how soon mold can grow.
After 48 hours: plan the repairs
Drying usually takes several days. Repairs should wait until readings show materials are dry. In Massachusetts, use a registered Home Improvement Contractor for repairs on an owner-occupied home with one to four units, and get a written contract for work of $1,000 or more. See water damage repair.
What not to do
- Don't use a household vacuum on water.
- Don't turn on ceiling lights or fans in a wet ceiling.
- Don't throw away damaged items before they're photographed and listed.
- Don't paint over stains or close up walls until they're confirmed dry.
- Don't treat water from a floor drain, toilet or flood as clean. See clean, gray and black water.
For local help and every type of water damage, see our page on local help with water damage in Westfield.
Sources
- EPA, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, Chapter 4 (responding to water damage within 24–48 hours)
- Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor program (Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation)
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for water damage to cause mold?
The EPA's guidance centers on responding within 24 to 48 hours, and it notes that mold may grow even when materials dry within 48 hours. Start drying right away.
Should I wait for the insurance adjuster before cleaning up?
No. Document the damage first, then start mitigation. Policies generally expect you to prevent further damage.
Can I dry water damage myself with fans?
Only for small, clean spills caught right away. Water in carpet pad, walls and subfloors needs extraction and professional drying with moisture readings.