Emergency

Water damage emergency? Do these four things now.

Stop the water, make it safe, protect what you can, and call. The first few hours decide how far water spreads into a slab home.

Call (833) 893-1539

Phones answered 24/7

Standing water on a tile kitchen floor after a supply line failure

1
Stop the water
Close the main valve or the meter. Details below.
2
Make it safe
Stay out of water near outlets and cords; keep out from under sagging ceilings; avoid sewage.
3
Protect belongings
Move electronics, rugs and papers up; put foil under furniture legs.
4
Document and call
Photos and video of everything, then call for extraction and drying.

Water shut off? Now call — the sooner drying starts, the less gets torn out.Phones answered 24/7. Free call, connected to a local restoration company.

(833) 893-1539

Where to shut off the water

House main valve

Usually where the line enters the house — often in the garage, near the front hose bib, or in a closet on an exterior wall. Turn clockwise to close.

Meter at the street

If the house valve won't close, the meter box near the curb has a valve. A meter key or large adjustable wrench turns it a quarter turn.

Water heater

Close the cold-water inlet on top of the tank, then switch off the breaker (electric) or turn the gas control to Off.

Swamp cooler or fixture

Close the valve under the sink or toilet, behind the washer or on the cooler's small supply line.

Get out and call if

• Water has reached the electrical panel, outlets or appliances
• You smell gas
• A ceiling is sagging or bulging
• Sewage or outside floodwater is in the house

Emergency services

The full first-hour guide

Emergency questions

What's the first thing to do when water is flooding my house?

Shut off the water at the main valve or meter, keep away from outlets and cords in wet areas, and call. Photograph the damage when it's safe.

Is it safe to walk in standing water?

Not if it could reach outlets, cords or appliances. Cut power at the breaker only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot. Avoid contact with sewage or outside floodwater.

How fast can someone come out?

Phones answered 24/7. Response depends on the restoration companies serving your area — in the Tucson and Phoenix metros it's usually quick; remote areas take longer. The call will tell you what to expect.

Should I wait for my insurance adjuster?

No. Policies expect you to prevent further damage. Start extraction and drying, and document everything with photos and the drying log.