Emergency

What to do in the first hour after water damage

Updated September 29, 2026

Short answer

Stop the water at the main shutoff, keep away from wet outlets and cords, move valuables off wet floors, photograph everything, and call for extraction and drying. In a slab home, the first few hours decide how far water spreads into walls and cabinets.

Portable pump extracting standing water from a tile floor

1. Stop the water

Close the main shutoff. In most Arizona homes it's where the water line enters the house, often in the garage or near the front hose bib. If you can't find it or it won't turn, close the valve at the meter box near the street (you may need a meter key or large wrench).

If the leak is from one fixture, close its valve: under the sink or toilet, behind the washer, or the cold-water inlet on top of the water heater. For a swamp cooler, close its supply line.

2. Make it safe

If water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, don't walk through it. Cut power at the breaker only if you can reach the panel standing on a dry surface.
Keep children and pets away, especially if the water came from a toilet, sewer or outside.
Stay out from under sagging ceilings.

3. Protect belongings

Move electronics, rugs, papers and photos off wet floors.
Put foil or plastic blocks under furniture legs that must stay.
Hang up rugs and upholstery cushions if you can.

4. Document everything

Take photos and video of the source, the water, and every damaged room before anything is moved or thrown out. Include close-ups of the failed part (a burst hose, a leaking tank) and wide shots of each room. Keep receipts for anything you buy.

5. Start drying

Mop up what you can on hard floors. Keep interior doors open and run the AC; in monsoon season, keep windows closed because outside air can be more humid than inside. For anything more than a small spill, get professional extraction and moisture mapping — surfaces dry fast in Arizona while the slab, pad and wall cavities stay wet.

Questions

Should I call my insurance company first?

Stop the water first, then call your insurer and a restoration company. Don't wait for an adjuster to visit before starting mitigation — policies expect you to prevent further damage.

Is it safe to stay in the house?

Usually, if the water was clean and power is safe. Leave the affected area if sewage is involved, ceilings are sagging, or water reached the electrical panel.

How long do I have before mold grows?

Mold can start growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, which is why drying should start the same day.

Editorial note: this guide is general information for Arizona homeowners, not professional, legal or insurance advice. For your situation, talk to a licensed contractor and your insurer.