What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most stressful things a homeowner can experience. Whether it’s a burst pipe, flooded basement, or appliance leak — the first 24 hours are absolutely critical. The decisions you make in those first hours can mean the difference between a manageable cleanup and a catastrophic loss.

As IICRC certified water damage restoration specialists serving Salt Lake County — including South Jordan, West Jordan, Sandy, Draper, Riverton, and Bluffdale — we’ve responded to thousands of water damage emergencies. Here’s exactly what to do when water damage strikes your home.

Step 1 — Call a Professional Restoration Company Immediately

This is the single most important step. Water damage gets exponentially worse every hour it goes untreated. Mold can begin growing within 24-48 hours and structural damage compounds quickly.

Call a 24/7 emergency restoration company like Best Option Restoration the moment you discover water damage. We can be on-site within 60 minutes anywhere in Salt Lake County — day or night.

📞 385-376-8300 — Available 24/7

Don’t wait until morning. Don’t wait until after the weekend. Call immediately.

Step 2 — Stop the Water Source

Before anything else — stop the water if you can safely do so.

Common water shutoffs:

Burst pipe — turn off your main water shutoff valve. It’s usually located in your basement, utility room, or outside near your foundation
Appliance leak — turn off the water supply valve behind the appliance
Toilet overflow — turn off the valve behind the toilet
Roof leak — you can’t stop rain but you can place buckets and move valuables

If you can’t locate or access the shutoff — or if the water is coming from a sewage backup — don’t touch it. Call a professional immediately.

Step 3 — Turn Off Electricity in Affected Areas

Water and electricity are a deadly combination. If water has reached areas near electrical outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel — do not enter those areas until the power is off.

How to safely shut off electricity:

Go to your electrical panel
Turn off the breakers for any affected rooms
If your panel is in a flooded area do NOT touch it — call an electrician immediately

Never use electrical appliances in flooded areas — even if the water looks shallow.

Step 4 — Document Everything for Insurance

Before you move anything or start cleaning up — take photos and videos of all the damage. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim.

What to document:

All standing water
Damaged walls, floors, and ceilings
Damaged furniture and belongings
The source of the water damage
Any visible mold growth

Take photos from multiple angles and make sure timestamps are enabled on your camera. The more documentation you have the stronger your insurance claim will be.

Step 5 — Call Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance company as soon as possible to report the damage and start your claim. Most homeowners insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage — but not gradual leaks or flooding from outside.

What to tell your insurance company:

When the damage occurred
What caused it
What steps you’ve taken so far
That you’ve called a professional restoration company

Pro tip: Best Option Restoration works directly with insurance adjusters. We handle all the communication and paperwork so you don’t have to stress about it. This alone saves our customers hours of frustration.

Step 6 — Remove Standing Water if Safe to Do So

If it’s safe to enter the affected area you can begin removing standing water while waiting for professionals to arrive. Every minute water sits increases the damage.

Safe ways to remove water:

Wet/dry shop vacuum
Mops and towels for smaller amounts
Buckets for larger amounts

Do NOT use a regular household vacuum — it’s not designed for water and creates an electrocution risk.

Professional restoration companies like Best Option Restoration use industrial extraction equipment that removes water far faster and more completely than any DIY method.

Step 7 — Move Valuables to a Dry Area

Quickly move furniture, electronics, documents, photos, and other valuables to a dry area of your home. The faster you get these items out of the water the better chance you have of saving them.

Priority items to move first:

Electronics and computers
Important documents and photos
Furniture and rugs
Clothing and bedding
Medications and first aid supplies

Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs to prevent staining on wet carpet.

Step 8 — Increase Ventilation

Open windows and doors if weather permits to increase airflow and begin the drying process. Turn on ceiling fans if it’s safe to use electricity in the area.

Do NOT use your HVAC system if water damage has reached your ductwork — this can spread mold spores throughout your entire home.

Professional restoration companies use industrial air movers and dehumidifiers that are far more effective than household fans. These commercial grade machines can dry a structure in days rather than weeks.

Step 9 — Watch for Mold

Mold can begin growing within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Keep a close eye on affected areas in the days following water damage — especially in hidden spots like inside walls, under floors, and in crawl spaces.

Early signs of mold:

Musty or earthy odor
Black, green, or white spots on walls or ceilings
Allergic reactions like sneezing or itchy eyes indoors

If you see or smell mold call a professional immediately. Best Option Restoration is IICRC certified in Applied Microbial Remediation — meaning we’re qualified to safely remove mold and prevent it from spreading.

Step 10 — Let the Professionals Handle the Rest

Water damage restoration is not a DIY project. Improper drying leads to hidden moisture that causes mold, structural damage, and ongoing problems for years. Professional restoration companies have:

Moisture meters to find hidden water you can’t see
Thermal imaging cameras to detect moisture behind walls
Industrial dehumidifiers that remove moisture from the air
Air movers that dry structures completely and quickly
IICRC certified technicians trained in proper drying protocols

Trying to handle water damage yourself almost always leads to bigger problems and bigger costs down the road.

What Happens If You Wait?

Every hour you delay water damage restoration the damage gets worse. Here’s what happens over time:

Within 1-2 hours: Furniture swells, drywall absorbs water, carpets soak through
Within 24 hours: Mold begins to grow, structural materials weaken, odors develop
Within 48-72 hours: Mold spreads rapidly, wood warps and buckles, walls begin to deteriorate
Within a week: Serious structural damage, extensive mold contamination, major health risks

The cost of restoration increases significantly with every hour of delay. Calling immediately is always the right decision.

Call Best Option Restoration — We’re Ready 24/7

When water damage strikes your Salt Lake County home don’t wait. Best Option Restoration is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be on-site within 60 minutes.

✅ IICRC Certified — WRT, AMRT & ASDT
✅ Free Estimates
✅ We Work Directly With Your Insurance
✅ Licensed B100 General Contractor — We Restore AND Rebuild
✅ Outrageous Customer Service

📞 Call or Text: 385-376-8300

Serving South Jordan, West Jordan, Sandy, Draper, Riverton & Bluffdale, UT