The first 60 minutes after water damage are critical. Here's the exact sequence of steps that determines how much damage your home sustains — and how much your insurance pays.
Water damage doesn't wait for a convenient time. Whether it's a burst pipe at 2am, a washing machine overflow while you're at work, or a flash flood pushing water under your back door, the clock starts ticking the moment water makes contact with your home's materials. What you do in the first 60 minutes has an enormous impact on total damage and your insurance settlement. Here's the precise sequence every Austin homeowner should follow.
Step 1: Stop the Water Source (If Safe)
The first priority is cutting off the water supply. For internal sources — burst pipes, appliance failures, toilet overflows — locate your main shutoff valve and turn it off. In most Austin homes, this is either near the water meter outside or in a utility closet. If you don't know where yours is, find it before an emergency happens. If the source is external (flooding, storm water), you obviously can't stop it — move to the next step.
Know where your main water shutoff valve is located before an emergency. Walk through your home and find it today.
Step 2: Ensure Electrical Safety
Water and electricity are a deadly combination. Do not enter a flooded area if there is any chance electrical outlets, appliances, or wiring may be submerged or wet. If standing water is near electrical panels or outlets, turn off the circuit breakers for affected areas from a dry location — or call your power company. Never stand in water while operating electrical switches.
If you are unsure whether an area is electrically safe, do not enter it. Call a professional.
Step 3: Call a Water Damage Restoration Company — Not Just a Plumber
Many Austin homeowners make the mistake of calling a plumber first. A plumber can fix the broken pipe, but they cannot dry your structure. By the time you get the plumber out, get the pipe fixed, and then find a restoration company, you may have lost 4–6 critical hours. Call a restoration company first — they can coordinate with a plumber while simultaneously beginning extraction and documentation.
Step 4: Document Everything Before Touching It
Before moving furniture, pulling up rugs, or attempting any cleanup, photograph and video every affected area. Walk through every room showing the extent of water. Open cabinet doors, photograph inside walls if accessible, and capture any visible water sources. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim. Take photos of the ceiling, walls, floors, and all personal property in the affected area.
Use your phone to record a continuous video walkthrough of all damage, narrating what you see as you go. This is often more valuable than photos alone.
Step 5: Call Your Insurance Company
Most homeowners policies require prompt notification after a water loss. Call your insurance company while you're waiting for the restoration crew to arrive. Start a claim, get a claim number, and ask about your coverage and deductible. Do not let the insurance company tell you to 'wait and see' — you are required to mitigate damage, which means getting professional restoration started immediately. A good restoration company will document everything for your claim.
Step 6: Move Valuables to Dry Areas If Safe
While waiting for the crew, if it is safe to do so, move valuable items — documents, electronics, jewelry, artwork — to dry areas of your home. Lift small furniture onto dry surfaces or place aluminum foil or blocks under legs. Do not remove soaked carpet or padding yourself — this can actually hurt your insurance claim as it removes evidence of damage.
What NOT to Do After Water Damage
Just as important as the right steps are the things you should avoid:
- Don't use a regular vacuum to extract water — use a wet-dry vac at minimum, but professional extraction is far more effective
- Don't use fans and a dehumidifier alone — consumer equipment is insufficient for structural drying
- Don't ignore wet areas you can't see — moisture behind walls is where mold lives
- Don't throw away damaged items before the insurance adjuster visits
- Don't delay — every hour increases damage and mold risk
If you're dealing with water damage right now, call (512) 222-8357. We respond within 60 minutes, 24/7.
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