A burst pipe, overflowing appliance, or sudden leak can turn into a much larger problem surprisingly quickly. The first hour is less about fixing everything and more about stopping the situation from getting worse. A few calm, practical steps can help protect your home and give you useful information for the next stage of cleanup.
Start by identifying where the water is coming from. If it is safe to do so, close the nearest shutoff valve or use the home's main water valve. Common locations include near a water heater, under sinks, beside toilets, or where the main supply enters the house.
If you cannot safely reach the valve, do not put yourself in danger just to stop the leak. Standing water can hide electrical hazards and other risks.
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If water has reached outlets, appliances, wiring, or an electrical panel, stay out of the affected area.
If the breaker can be reached safely from a dry location, switch off power to the affected area. Never step into standing water to reach a breaker or touch an electrical device.
Before moving furniture, throwing anything away, or starting cleanup, take clear photos and videos.
Capture the source of the water, wet floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, appliances, and personal belongings. Take wider room photos as well as close-ups. This creates a record of what happened and can be useful when discussing the damage with your insurer or restoration professional.
Once the area is safe, move important documents, medications, electronics, and irreplaceable items away from the affected area. Do not spend time trying to save items if doing so requires walking through unsafe water.
Once the water source is controlled and the immediate safety concerns are handled, arrange for professional assessment and water removal. A restoration team can check areas that may not look wet on the surface, including flooring, walls, and other hidden spaces.
For a more detailed sequence of actions, see the complete first-hour checklist.
The goal during the first hour is simple: stay safe, stop the source when possible, document what happened, and prevent additional damage while the next steps are arranged.
HearthDry's core emergency guides are now available in Spanish for Spanish-speaking homeowners.
Water and moisture in a crawl space can affect more than the area beneath your home. Because air from the crawl space can move into the living areas above, excess moisture may contribute to uncomfortable indoor conditions and moisture-related concerns. The right solution depends on what is actually happening below the house—removing standing water, improving waterproofing, or encapsulating the space. This guide helps homeowners understand the differences and identify which approach may fit their situation.
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Every city has its own water damage guide with local information to help homeowners understand what to expect. Each page includes details such as the local area, county information, ZIP codes, and common water-related problems. Explore the city guides below for location-specific information.