Guides
What to do when it happens.
Plain answers from the people who show up afterward. Each guide starts with the short version.
- 01A pipe burst. What do I do right now?Shut off the main water valve, stay out of standing water near anything electrical, move what you can out of the water, photograph everything, then call a water damage restoration company. The EPA says water-damaged areas should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold, so start right away.
- 02What to do after a house fireDon’t go back in until the fire department says it’s safe, and don’t reconnect utilities yourself. Then secure the property with a board-up and roof tarp, call your insurance company, and inventory and photograph the damage before throwing anything away. Soot and smoke odor keep spreading into materials, so cleanup should start soon.
- 03How fast does mold grow after water damage?Mold can start growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, so drying water-damaged areas within that window is the best prevention. According to the EPA, a patch smaller than about 10 square feet (roughly 3 ft by 3 ft) can usually be cleaned yourself. Larger areas, mold in the HVAC system, or mold after sewage or other contaminated water call for a professional.
- 04What is the “duty to mitigate” after home damage?Homeowners have a contractual “duty to mitigate” damages: after a loss, you’re expected to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as shutting off the water, tarping a damaged roof, boarding up broken windows or winterizing the plumbing. Damage that gets worse because those steps weren’t taken may not be covered, so act quickly and keep records of what you spend.
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