Basement flooded? What to do in the first hour

1. Make it safe first

Water and electricity are the real danger in a flooded basement. Do not walk into standing water if it could be touching outlets, extension cords, a space heater, the furnace or the electrical panel. If you can reach the panel from a dry spot, switch off the breakers for the basement. If you can't reach it safely, call your electric utility and wait.

If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside.

If the water came up through a floor drain or toilet, treat it as sewage. Keep kids and pets away, wear gloves and boots, and don't try to clean it with household products.

2. Stop the water

For a burst pipe, water heater or washing machine, close the main water shut-off. In most Lehigh Valley homes it is on the wall where the water line comes in, near the meter. Turning it clockwise closes it.

If groundwater is coming in through the walls or floor, you can't shut it off. Focus on protecting belongings and getting the water pumped out.

3. Document before you clean

Your insurance company will want to see the damage as it was. Before you move or throw away anything:

• Take a wide video walking the whole basement, then close-up photos of each damaged item.
• Photograph the source: the failed pipe, the water heater, the drain.
• Photograph how high the water reached on walls, boxes and furniture.
• Keep damaged items until the adjuster has seen them or tells you they can go.

4. Protect what you can

• Move boxes, electronics, rugs and furniture to a dry floor.
• Put aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs that have to stay, so they don't wick up water or stain the carpet.
• Hang up wet rugs and clothing where they can drip.
• Don't use a regular household vacuum on water. It isn't built for it and it's an electrical hazard.

5. Start the drying clock

Drywall, carpet pad and wood keep absorbing water long after the puddles are gone. The EPA advises drying wet building materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. A wet-dry vac and box fans help, but they can't pull moisture out of the wall cavities and subfloor.

A restoration company uses commercial dehumidifiers and air movers, and checks the walls and floor with moisture meters until the readings say they're dry. That is also the record your insurance company needs.

6. Make the calls

Call a restoration company first if water is still spreading. Every hour matters for what can be saved.

Then call your insurance company or agent to open a claim. Write down the claim number and the name of everyone you speak to. Our guide to filing a water damage claim walks through the rest.

Not sure your policy covers it? Read what homeowners insurance usually covers for water damage.

Common questions