Guides

Water damage guides

Plain answers for the questions that come up when water gets where it should not, organized by topic.

Start hereFirst steps6 min read

What to Do After Water Damage

Make the area safe first, then stop the water at the fixture or main shutoff valve. Photograph everything before moving it, get belongings and electronics out of wet rooms, and remove small amounts of clean standing water. If water has reached walls, flooring or a unit below, call a restoration company the same day.

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First steps

What to do in the first hours after a leak, overflow or flood inside the home.

6 min readReviewed Sep 17, 2026What to Do After Water DamageThe first few hours after a leak decide how much of the home can be dried and how much has to be torn out. This checklist puts the steps in the order they matter.

Mold and moisture

How moisture turns into mold, where it hides and when drying is no longer enough.

5 min readReviewed Sep 17, 2026How Fast Mold Grows After Water DamageMold does not need a flood. A slow AC drain leak or a wet wall that was only surface-dried can be enough, especially in a warm, humid climate. The timeline starts the moment materials get wet.

Storms and flooding

Hurricane season, heavy rain and water that comes in from outside.

5 min readReviewed Sep 17, 2026Hurricane Water Damage ChecklistWind gets the headlines, but water does much of the damage inside a home: rain driven through windows and sliding doors, roof leaks, and flooding. A few steps before the storm and a careful walk-through after it can limit how far that water spreads.

Water damage guides

What to Do After Water Damage

First steps

Mold and moisture

Storms and flooding

Water where it should not be?