Hour 0–1: Make the Area Safe
- Do not enter standing water if electrical outlets, panels, appliances, or energized equipment may be involved.
- Stop the water source if it can be done safely.
- If sewage or outside floodwater is present, restrict access and keep children and pets away.
- Call the appropriate utility, plumber, property manager, or emergency service when the source cannot be safely controlled.
Hour 1–3: Document the Loss Before Major Cleanup
Take photos and video of the source when visible, the water line, affected rooms, flooring, walls, contents, and damaged personal property. Keep receipts for emergency work and temporary protective measures. Insurance coverage depends on the cause of loss and policy. Ground flooding and plumbing leaks may be treated differently, so accurate documentation matters.Hour 1–4: Begin Water Removal
Standing water should be removed once the area is safe. Professional water damage restoration can include extraction equipment designed to remove bulk water before the drying phase begins. Extraction is important because dehumidifiers and air movers are more effective after unnecessary standing water has been removed.Hour 2–6: Identify Where the Water Traveled
Basement water rarely stays only on the visible floor surface. Check wall bases, drywall, insulation, built-ins, carpet pad, stored boxes, furniture, and adjacent rooms. Water can wick upward through porous materials and move under flooring. A moisture map helps establish the actual drying boundary so equipment is not set only where the floor looked wet.Hour 3–8: Separate Salvageable From Unsalvageable Materials
| Material | Often Evaluated for Drying | Replacement More Likely When |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete / masonry | Structurally sound and cleanable | Contaminants or coatings create additional issues |
| Drywall | Clean-water exposure is limited and drying access is practical | Heavily saturated, contaminated, deteriorated, or insulated cavities remain wet |
| Carpet | Clean-water loss is caught quickly | Sewage, heavy contamination, delamination, or prolonged saturation |
| Cardboard / paper goods | Only if lightly affected and important | Heavily saturated or contaminated |
Hour 4–12: Establish Controlled Drying
Air movement and dehumidification should be based on the affected materials, room volume, temperature, and moisture conditions. Simply opening windows or running a household fan may not be enough for a larger loss. The U.S. EPA emphasizes drying damp building materials and furnishings within 24–48 hours when possible to help prevent mold growth. The first 12 hours are therefore a critical window for getting the loss under control.What Not to Do After Basement Flooding
- Do not plug in fans or equipment while standing in water.
- Do not use a standard household vacuum to remove standing water.
- Do not move sewage-contaminated items through clean areas without a containment plan.
- Do not assume drywall or flooring is dry because the surface looks normal.
- Do not discard everything before documenting the condition when an insurance claim may be involved.
- Do not delay source repair while focusing only on cleanup.