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What to Do When Your House Has Water Damage

A step-by-step emergency guide for Indianapolis homeowners — what to shut off, how to stay safe, and what to document while you wait for professional restoration.

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The first five minutes

  1. 1Get people and pets out of the affected area.
  2. 2Shut off the water at the fixture or the main valve.
  3. 3Kill power to wet rooms — only if the panel is dry and reachable.
  4. 4Photograph everything before you move or clean anything.
  5. 5Call a 24/7 restoration team so drying can start today.

1. Shut off the water at the source

Stop the flow before anything else. Close the fixture's local shutoff valve if the leak is at a sink, toilet, or water heater. If you can't find it — or water is coming from inside a wall, ceiling, or a burst pipe — shut off the main water valve for the whole house.

  • The main shutoff is usually in the basement, crawlspace, or utility room near where the line enters the house.
  • Turn the valve clockwise until it stops; for lever valves, turn the handle a quarter turn until it sits across the pipe.
  • Open the lowest faucet in the house to drain remaining pressure from the lines.
  • For a water heater leak, also shut off its gas valve or breaker before draining.
  • If the water is coming from outdoors (storm or sewer backup), don't try to stop it — move to safety and call for help.

2. Treat electricity as the first safety hazard

Water and electricity are the most dangerous combination in a flooded home. Assume any standing water may be energized until you know otherwise.

  • Never walk into standing water to reach a breaker panel — if the panel is in or near the water, call your utility or an electrician.
  • If you can reach the panel safely and dry, shut off breakers to the affected areas.
  • Unplug electronics and small appliances only if the floor and your hands are dry.
  • Don't use household vacuums, extension cords, or power tools in wet areas.
  • Smell gas, see sparking, or hear buzzing? Leave the building and call 911 and your utility.

3. Identify what kind of water you're dealing with

Not all water damage carries the same risk. The category of water determines what can be saved and how the cleanup must be handled.

  • Clean water — supply lines, water heaters, rainwater. Lowest risk, but it turns dirty within 24-48 hours.
  • Gray water — washing machines, dishwashers, sump pump failures. Contains contaminants; avoid contact.
  • Black water — sewage backups, toilet overflows, flood water from outside. Hazardous. Keep people and pets out of the area entirely.
  • When in doubt, treat the water as contaminated and wear boots and gloves.

4. Document everything before you clean up

Insurance adjusters pay for what you can prove. Five minutes of photos now can be worth thousands later.

  • Photograph and video every affected room, from wide shots down to close-ups of damaged materials.
  • Capture the source of the loss — the burst pipe, failed hose, or overflowing fixture.
  • Note the date and time the damage was discovered.
  • Make a written list of damaged contents including approximate age and value; keep receipts if you have them.
  • Don't throw damaged items away until the adjuster has seen them or you've photographed them thoroughly.
  • Call your insurance company and open a claim as soon as the area is safe.

5. Start removing water and moving air

Mold can begin growing in 24 to 48 hours. Anything you can do safely to reduce standing water and raise airflow limits the damage.

  • Remove standing water with a wet/dry shop vac, mop, or towels — only where it's electrically safe to do so.
  • Lift rugs and move furniture out of wet areas; place foil or wood blocks under furniture legs to prevent staining.
  • Open windows and interior doors and run fans and a dehumidifier if the weather is dry and cool.
  • Remove wet contents, books, and paper from the floor.
  • Don't assume a dry surface means a dry structure — water wicks into drywall, insulation, and subfloor where you can't see it.

6. Call a professional restoration team

Extraction is only the first step. Structural drying requires moisture meters, air movers, and commercial dehumidifiers to bring materials back to normal moisture levels — and to prove it was done properly for your claim.

  • Professional equipment dries inside wall cavities and under flooring that fans can't reach.
  • Documented moisture readings support your insurance claim.
  • Antimicrobial treatment helps prevent mold after the water is gone.
  • The faster drying starts, the more of your flooring, drywall, and cabinetry can be saved.

What not to do

  • Don't enter a room with standing water if the power is still on to that area.
  • Don't use a regular household vacuum to remove water.
  • Don't wait for the insurance adjuster before starting safe mitigation — most policies require you to prevent further damage.
  • Don't leave wet carpet, padding, or baseboards in place hoping they'll dry on their own.
  • Don't run the HVAC system if sewage or contaminated water reached the ducts.
  • Don't use bleach as a substitute for proper drying — mold returns if moisture stays.

Documenting damage for your insurance claim

Insurers generally require two things from you: prove the loss, and take reasonable steps to prevent it from getting worse. Photos, video, and a written inventory satisfy the first. Prompt extraction and drying satisfy the second — which is why waiting days for an adjuster before calling a restoration company can actually work against your claim.

Keep a simple file: photos, the claim number, the adjuster's name, receipts for anything you buy (fans, tarps, a hotel stay), and the restoration company's moisture readings and drying logs. We provide that documentation on every job and can work directly with your adjuster.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly does water damage cause mold?
Mold can begin growing on damp materials within 24 to 48 hours. That's why extraction and structural drying should start the same day whenever possible.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
Most policies cover sudden and accidental water damage such as a burst pipe or an appliance failure. Gradual leaks, seepage, and surface flooding from outside are usually excluded and may require separate flood coverage. Document everything and open a claim right away.
Should I turn off my water heater during a leak?
Yes. Shut off the cold water supply valve to the heater and turn off its gas valve or circuit breaker before draining it, so the unit doesn't run dry and damage the heating element.
Can I just dry the house myself with fans?
Household fans move surface air but rarely dry wall cavities, insulation, or subfloor. Professional air movers and dehumidifiers, paired with moisture meter readings, confirm the structure is truly dry and help prevent hidden mold.

Water still spreading? Call now.

Our Indianapolis team responds 24/7 with emergency extraction, structural drying, and full insurance documentation. Call for a free estimate and immediate dispatch.

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