What to Do Immediately After Water Damage: A Complete Guide

The Critical First 24 Hours After Water Damage

When water damage strikes your Minnesota home, every minute counts. Whether it's from a burst pipe, flooding, or a leaking appliance, the first 24 hours are absolutely critical in determining the extent of damage and your recovery costs. Water can spread quickly through your home, saturating walls, floors, and belongings within minutes.

According to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), mold can begin growing within 24-48 hours of water exposure. This makes immediate action not just important—it's essential for protecting your home and your family's health.

Step 1: Ensure Safety First (Minutes 1-15)

Before you do anything else, assess the safety of the situation. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If water has reached electrical outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel, do not enter the affected area. Instead:

• Turn off the main power if you can safely access your electrical panel from a dry area
• Evacuate immediately if water is rapidly rising or if there's any risk of structural damage
• Call 911 if there's any immediate danger to you or your family
• Wear protective gear including rubber boots and gloves if entering affected areas

In Minnesota, we frequently see water damage from frozen pipes during winter months. If you suspect a burst pipe, locate your main water shut-off valve and turn it off immediately to prevent additional flooding.

Step 2: Contact Your Insurance Company (Minutes 15-30)

Once you've ensured everyone's safety, contact your insurance company right away. Most homeowners insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, but there are important distinctions:

• Covered: Burst pipes, appliance malfunctions, roof leaks from storms, accidental overflow
• Not Covered: Gradual leaks, lack of maintenance, flooding from external sources (requires separate flood insurance)

When you call your insurance company, have this information ready:

• Your policy number
• Date and time the damage occurred
• Source of the water damage
• Extent of visible damage
• Photos and videos of the damage

Ask your insurance adjuster if they have preferred restoration companies or if you can choose your own. At undefined, we work directly with all major insurance companies and can handle the entire claims process for you.

Step 3: Document Everything (Minutes 30-60)

Thorough documentation is crucial for your insurance claim. Before you start cleanup, take comprehensive photos and videos of:

• All affected rooms from multiple angles
• Water levels and standing water
• Damaged furniture, belongings, and structural elements
• The source of the water damage
• Any visible mold or water stains

Create a detailed inventory of damaged items, including:

• Item description and approximate age
• Purchase price or estimated value
• Photos showing the damage
• Receipts if available

Step 4: Call Professional Water Damage Restoration (Hour 1)

While you might be tempted to handle cleanup yourself, professional water damage restoration is essential for several reasons:

• Hidden moisture detection: Water seeps into walls, under flooring, and into structural cavities that you can't see
• Proper equipment: Industrial dehumidifiers, air movers, and moisture meters are necessary for complete drying
• Mold prevention: Professional drying techniques prevent mold growth that can start within 24 hours
• Structural assessment: Certified technicians can identify structural damage that may not be immediately visible

At undefined, our IICRC Certified technicians are available 24/7 Emergency Service for emergency water damage response across Minnesota. We typically arrive within 45 minutes of your call and begin the restoration process immediately.

Step 5: Begin Water Removal (Hours 1-4)

If you're waiting for professional help to arrive, you can begin some initial water removal:

• Remove standing water: Use a wet/dry vacuum, mop, or towels to remove as much water as possible
• Move furniture: Relocate furniture to dry areas or place aluminum foil or wood blocks under legs to prevent staining
• Remove wet items: Take out area rugs, curtains, and other movable items to prevent further damage
• Open windows: If weather permits, open windows to increase air circulation

However, do not use your home vacuum cleaner to remove water—this can cause electrical shock and damage your vacuum. Only use equipment specifically designed for water extraction.

Step 6: Prevent Mold Growth (Hours 4-24)

Mold prevention starts immediately. Here's what you can do while waiting for professional restoration:

• Increase air circulation: Use fans to promote air movement (but only if electrical safety is confirmed)
• Reduce humidity: Run dehumidifiers if you have them available
• Remove wet materials: Porous materials like carpet padding, insulation, and drywall may need to be removed
• Clean and disinfect: Wipe down hard surfaces with a disinfectant solution

Professional restoration companies use industrial-grade equipment that can remove moisture much more effectively than household fans and dehumidifiers. Our thermal imaging cameras can detect hidden moisture that would otherwise lead to mold growth weeks or months later.

What NOT to Do After Water Damage

Just as important as knowing what to do is understanding what to avoid:

• Don't delay: Every hour of delay increases damage and restoration costs
• Don't use electrical appliances: In wet areas until power is confirmed safe
• Don't ignore hidden moisture: Water in walls and under floors will cause problems later
• Don't attempt major repairs yourself: Insurance may not cover DIY restoration attempts
• Don't throw away damaged items: Until your insurance adjuster has documented them

The Professional Restoration Process

When you call undefined, here's what happens:

1. Emergency Contact (Within minutes): We answer your call 24/7 and dispatch a team immediately
2. Inspection and Assessment (45 minutes): We arrive on-site, assess the damage, and create a restoration plan
3. Water Removal (Hours 1-4): We use powerful pumps and vacuums to remove standing water
4. Drying and Dehumidification (Days 3-5): Industrial equipment dries your home completely
5. Cleaning and Sanitizing (Days 3-7): We clean, disinfect, and deodorize affected areas
6. Restoration (Days 7-14+): We repair and restore your home to pre-damage condition

Minnesota-Specific Considerations

Living in Minnesota presents unique water damage challenges:

• Frozen pipes: Our harsh winters cause thousands of burst pipe incidents annually
• Ice dams: Snow and ice buildup can cause roof leaks and water intrusion
• Spring flooding: Snowmelt and heavy spring rains can overwhelm drainage systems
• Basement flooding: High water tables and heavy precipitation affect many Minnesota homes

Our team has extensive experience with Minnesota-specific water damage scenarios and understands the unique challenges of restoration in our climate.

Cost Considerations and Insurance

The cost of water damage restoration varies based on:

• Extent of water damage (affected square footage)
• Category of water (clean, gray, or black water)
• Duration of exposure
• Materials affected (carpet, hardwood, drywall, etc.)
• Presence of mold

Most homeowners insurance policies cover water damage restoration when the damage is sudden and accidental. We work directly with your insurance company, handling all documentation and communication to make the process as smooth as possible for you.

Take Action Now

Water damage doesn't wait, and neither should you. If you're experiencing water damage in your Minnesota home, call undefined immediately at undefined. Our certified technicians are standing by 24/7 Emergency Service to respond to your emergency.

Remember: The faster you act, the less damage your home will sustain, and the lower your restoration costs will be. Don't wait—call now for immediate assistance.