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Blog · Water damage · Nashville, TN

Water damage: what to do in the first 48 hours

By Tennessee Environmental Safety Group

When water gets into a house, the first two days matter most. Wet materials that stay wet can start growing mold, and hidden moisture can keep causing damage long after the surface looks dry. This checklist covers what to do, in order, while you wait for help.

1. Stay safe first

  • If water is near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel, do not walk through it. Shut off power to the affected area if you can do so safely, or call an electrician.
  • Avoid standing water if you do not know where it came from. Flood water and sewage can carry contamination.
  • Be careful of ceilings that are sagging or bulging. They can fall without warning.

2. Stop the source

If it is a burst pipe or a leaking appliance, shut off the water at the valve. If water is coming from the roof or outside, cover the opening if it is safe to do so. Nothing else you do will help while water is still coming in.

3. Document everything

Before you move or throw anything away, take photos and video of the damage, including the water line on walls and any damaged belongings. Your insurer will usually ask for this, and good documentation can make a claim go more smoothly. Keep receipts for anything you buy to deal with the damage.

4. Start drying what you can

  • Remove standing water if it is safe to do so.
  • Move furniture, rugs and valuables out of the wet area.
  • Open windows and run fans where it is safe, especially if the weather is dry.
  • Pull up wet rugs and padding that cannot be dried quickly.
Why 48 hours? Mold can begin growing on wet materials within a day or two. Drying quickly is the best way to prevent it, which is why speed matters more than anything else on this list.

5. Check for hidden moisture

A surface that feels dry may still be wet behind it. Water can travel into walls, under flooring and into insulation. Moisture readings can show where water went and whether it has dried, so you are not guessing. If it is not completely dried, mold can develop out of sight, and you may notice a musty smell later.

6. Call for help

Call a specialist as soon as the source is stopped. We provide water damage cleanup with moisture detection and documentation for your insurer. If mold has already started, our mold testing can tell you what is growing and how far it has spread, and after a fire, see our fire and smoke damage service.

What not to do

  • Do not use a regular household vacuum on wet carpet or standing water.
  • Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if a wet ceiling is above them.
  • Do not wait to see if it dries on its own. If it has been more than a day, call.

Had a leak or flood?

Call now, and we will tell you what to do next and arrange an assessment.

Call 615-898-9729
Call nowGet inspected
615-898-9729
Blog · Water damage · Nashville, TN

Water damage: what to do in the first 48 hours

By Tennessee Environmental Safety Group

When water gets into a house, the first two days matter most. Wet materials that stay wet can start growing mold, and hidden moisture can keep causing damage long after the surface looks dry. This checklist covers what to do, in order, while you wait for help.

1. Stay safe first

  • If water is near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel, do not walk through it. Shut off power to the affected area if you can do so safely, or call an electrician.
  • Avoid standing water if you do not know where it came from. Flood water and sewage can carry contamination.
  • Be careful of ceilings that are sagging or bulging. They can fall without warning.

2. Stop the source

If it is a burst pipe or a leaking appliance, shut off the water at the valve. If water is coming from the roof or outside, cover the opening if it is safe to do so. Nothing else you do will help while water is still coming in.

3. Document everything

Before you move or throw anything away, take photos and video of the damage, including the water line on walls and any damaged belongings. Your insurer will usually ask for this, and good documentation can make a claim go more smoothly. Keep receipts for anything you buy to deal with the damage.

4. Start drying what you can

  • Remove standing water if it is safe to do so.
  • Move furniture, rugs and valuables out of the wet area.
  • Open windows and run fans where it is safe, especially if the weather is dry.
  • Pull up wet rugs and padding that cannot be dried quickly.
Why 48 hours? Mold can begin growing on wet materials within a day or two. Drying quickly is the best way to prevent it, which is why speed matters more than anything else on this list.

5. Check for hidden moisture

A surface that feels dry may still be wet behind it. Water can travel into walls, under flooring and into insulation. Moisture readings can show where water went and whether it has dried, so you are not guessing. If it is not completely dried, mold can develop out of sight, and you may notice a musty smell later.

6. Call for help

Call a specialist as soon as the source is stopped. We provide water damage cleanup with moisture detection and documentation for your insurer. If mold has already started, our mold testing can tell you what is growing and how far it has spread, and after a fire, see our fire and smoke damage service.

What not to do

  • Do not use a regular household vacuum on wet carpet or standing water.
  • Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if a wet ceiling is above them.
  • Do not wait to see if it dries on its own. If it has been more than a day, call.

Had a leak or flood?

Call now, and we will tell you what to do next and arrange an assessment.

Call 615-898-9729
Call nowGet inspected
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