If water has reached electrical outlets, if you see standing water above ankle level, or if the source is sewage/contaminated water — leave the building immediately and call a professional. Your safety is always priority number one.
Why the First Hour Matters
Water damage is a race against the clock. Here's what happens if you don't act:
- Within 1 hour: Water spreads through drywall, carpet padding, and subflooring via wicking — damage expands far beyond the visible wet area.
- Within 24 hours: Drywall begins to swell and break down. Furniture stains become permanent. Metal surfaces start to tarnish.
- Within 48-72 hours: Mold begins to grow. Once mold establishes, remediation costs can triple your restoration bill.
- After 1 week: Structural damage becomes likely. Hardwood floors cup and buckle permanently. Biohazard risks increase.
The goal of the first 60 minutes isn't to fix everything — it's to stop the bleeding and set yourself up for the best possible outcome.
Your 60-Minute Action Plan
Stop the water source (Minutes 0–5)
Find and stop the source of water. For burst pipes, shut off the main water valve (usually near the water meter or where the main line enters your home). For appliance leaks, turn off the appliance and close the supply valve behind it. For roof leaks during a storm, place buckets and move to step 2 — you can't stop rain.
Know your main shutoff valve location now, before you need it. Most Oregon homes have it in the basement, crawl space, or near the water heater.
Kill the power to affected areas (Minutes 5–10)
Go to your breaker box and turn off circuits for any rooms with water exposure. If you can't reach the breaker without walking through standing water, call your power company's emergency line to shut off power remotely. Never touch electrical equipment while standing in water.
Document everything with photos and video (Minutes 10–20)
This is the step most people skip, and it costs them thousands on their insurance claim. Before you touch, move, or clean up anything:
- Take wide-angle photos of every affected room
- Shoot close-ups of damage to walls, flooring, and belongings
- Record a walkthrough video narrating what you see
- Photograph the source of the water
- Capture serial numbers and brand names of damaged appliances/electronics
Your insurance adjuster wasn't there when it happened. These photos are your evidence. Store them in the cloud immediately (email them to yourself or upload to Google Photos/iCloud).
Include a newspaper or your phone's date display in a few photos. Adjusters sometimes question when damage occurred. Timestamped photos eliminate that doubt.
Remove what you can save (Minutes 20–35)
Move furniture, rugs, electronics, and valuables away from the water. Focus on items that are still dry or only slightly damp. Priority order:
- Electronics & documents — the hardest to replace and most sensitive to water
- Upholstered furniture — absorbs water quickly and becomes extremely heavy
- Clothing & bedding — can be saved if dried within 48 hours
- Wood furniture — stands on aluminum foil or wood blocks to prevent staining from carpet
Put aluminum foil or plastic under the legs of heavy furniture you can't move. This prevents dye transfer from wet carpet to furniture (and vice versa).
Start air circulation (Minutes 35–45)
If power is safe in unaffected areas, set up fans pointing toward wet areas. Open windows if the outdoor humidity is low (check your phone's weather app). Do not use your central HVAC system if water has reached any ductwork — it can spread contamination throughout the house.
If you have a dehumidifier, place it in the most affected area. This slows mold growth until professionals arrive.
Call your insurance company and a restoration professional (Minutes 45–60)
Call your insurance company to report the damage and get a claim number. Write it down. Then call a restoration company — not a general contractor, not a handyman. Restoration companies have commercial-grade water extraction and drying equipment that's critical in the first 24 hours.
If water damage happens on a Friday night, don't wait until Monday to call a restoration company. Every hour counts. Most reputable companies offer 24/7 emergency response. The difference between Friday night and Monday morning can be the difference between drying out your home and demolishing walls for mold.
What NOT to Do
- Don't use a household vacuum to remove water. Standard vacuums aren't designed for water and can electrocute you. Restoration companies use specialized water extractors.
- Don't pull up carpet yourself. Improper removal can damage the subfloor and void insurance coverage. Let the restoration team assess whether carpet can be saved.
- Don't paint over water stains or try to hide damage. This masks the problem and can void your insurance claim. The moisture trapped behind paint breeds mold.
- Don't turn on ceiling fixtures in rooms with water damage above. Water-logged ceilings can collapse.
- Don't throw away damaged items until your insurance adjuster has documented them. Take photos, but keep the items as evidence.
Choosing a Restoration Company: What to Ask
When you call a restoration company, ask these questions. The answers tell you whether they're there to help or to upsell:
- "Can you give me a written estimate before starting work?" — If they say estimates come later or refuse to put pricing in writing, that's a red flag.
- "Do you bill insurance directly or do I pay upfront?" — Most reputable companies work directly with insurance. Be cautious of anyone demanding full payment upfront.
- "What's your response time?" — In the Willamette Valley, a good response time is 60-90 minutes. Anything over 3 hours in an emergency means they're likely subcontracting out.
- "Are you IICRC certified?" — The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification is the industry standard. No certification = no hire.
After the First Hour
Once the immediate crisis is handled, here's what comes next:
- Your restoration team will do a moisture reading of walls, floors, and ceilings to map the full extent of damage (it's always bigger than what's visible).
- Industrial drying typically takes 3-5 days with commercial dehumidifiers and air movers running 24/7.
- Your insurance adjuster will visit within 24-72 hours. Have your photos, the claim number, and the restoration company's initial assessment ready.
- Keep a log of every call, every person who visits, and every expense. This is your paper trail for the claim.
The first 60 minutes is about four things: stop the water, stay safe, document everything, and get professionals on the way. You don't need to fix it yourself — you just need to protect your home and your insurance claim until help arrives.