Coming home to find your house taking on water is one of the most stressful things you can face. It’s not much of a comfort, but you aren’t alone in this experience. Water damage makes up nearly 24% of all homeowner insurance claims.
The good news is that taking the right steps after this unfortunate event can make a real difference. The first few hours after the flood matter the most when it comes to your safety, your home, and your insurance claim.
This guide walks you through what to do if your house floods—from the moment you discover the water all the way through restoration. Keep in mind that if the flooding is widespread or severe, professional water damage restoration is the best way to dry your home and head off mold before it starts.
Key Takeaways
- Knowing what to do if your house floods starts with safety first. Get all the people and pets out of your home and shut off the electricity before anything else.
- The first few hours after a flood are the most important. Stop the water source and document the damage early to protect both your home and your insurance claim.
- The longer standing water sits, the more damage it causes. Mold can start growing in 24 to 48 hours.
- Professional restoration will ensure that your home is completely dry and safe to return to.
- Cleaning your gutters, inspecting appliances, and knowing where your main water shutoff is can help you protect your home from future flooding.
Step 1: Stay Safe and Shut Off Utilities
If your house is flooded, nothing matters more than getting everyone out safely, including your furry family members. Move all people and pets to higher ground or get out of the house entirely. Don’t return until you know it’s safe.
Before you enter standing water, shut off the power at the main breaker. Only do this if the breaker panel is dry and you can safely reach it. When in doubt, call your utility company and let them handle it.
As you move through your home, watch for warning signs of structural damage, like sagging ceilings, buckled floors, and unusual odors, which can all point to bigger problems. If you smell gas, leave the house immediately and call your gas company from a safe distance.
Step 2: Stop the Water Source If You Can
When it comes to what to do when your house floods, it’s important to know if you can actually stop the water.
If the flooding is coming from inside your house, such as from a burst pipe, overflowing appliance, or a damaged water heater, shut off the main water valve right away. The main water valve is usually located near the water meter in the utility room or along an exterior wall.
If the source of the flooding is external, such as from stormwater, an overflowing river, or a sewer backup, don’t try to stop it yourself. Focus on keeping your family safe and wait for professional help to arrive.
Step 3: Document Everything for Insurance
Once the flooding’s stopped and you’re able to return to your house, take a moment to breathe. But don’t wait too long. When your house is flooded, what to do next is to consider your insurance claim. Before you move anything or start cleaning up, take out your phone and start recording.
Walk through every affected area and take photos and videos of everything. Capture the water level, damaged walls, flooring, furniture, and all your personal belongings. Get close-up shots and wide shots. The more you document, the better.
Don’t throw anything away, even if you’re dying to toss that sopping carpet and ruined mattress. Your insurance adjuster will want to see the damage firsthand.
Step 4: Remove Standing Water and Begin Drying
After your family is safe and you’ve thoroughly documented the damage to your home, it’s now time to get to work. Knowing what to do at this stage comes down to one thing: speed! Mold can start growing in as little as 24 to 48 hours, so every minute counts.
Remove Standing Water
Use a wet/dry vacuum, mop, or buckets to pull out as much water as possible from floors, corners, and low-lying surfaces. Check under furniture and along baseboards where water tends to collect.
Don’t use a regular household vacuum. It’s not built for water and can be unsafe.
Salvage What You Can
Move furniture, rugs, and any other belongings out of the wet areas. Place aluminum foil under the legs of your furniture to prevent moisture from wicking up into the wood. Remove soaked items like cushions, bedding, and clothing and set them out to dry separately.
Start Drying the Affected Areas
Open windows and doors to get air moving. Run fans and dehumidifiers if you have them. Pull up wet rugs and lift wet carpet edges to help dry the subfloor beneath.
Keep in mind that DIY drying efforts have their limits. Once you’ve done what you can, it’s time to hire a professional water restoration service. You can learn more about what this involves from our water damage resources page.
Step 5: Call a Professional Restoration Service
House flooding often calls for more than a mop and a box fan. If your house flooded with more than a couple of inches of standing water, if the water sat for hours, or if you think the water may have gotten inside your walls or under your floors, it’s time to call a professional.
A restoration team will bring in industrial extraction equipment, high-powered drying systems, and antimicrobial treatments that go far beyond what a homeowner can pull together on their own. That level of care is what prevents hidden moisture from turning into a mold problem down the road.
SERVPRO is your local, reliable flood remediation service. We provide 24/7 emergency water damage services and a proven step-by-step restoration process. We can also coordinate directly with your insurance company to make the claims process easier.
What to Expect After a House Flood
Once you’ve taken care of the immediate action items after your house flooded, you’ll finally have time to sit back and collect your thoughts. This is the time questions start rolling in about the future.
How Long Does It Take a House to Dry After Flooding?
It’s understandable that you want your home back to normal ASAP. However, the drying time for your home depends on how much water got in, what got soaked, and how quickly you were able to respond.
In most cases, a professional drying process will take three to five days. Homes with water inside walls, under the flooring, or in crawl spaces can take longer. The key is to monitor the moisture levels throughout your home. Don’t just wait for things to feel dry.
What Does the Restoration Process Look Like?
The water restoration process typically follows these steps:
- Water extraction
- Structural drying
- Cleaning and sanitizing
- Repairs
Depending on the severity of the water damage, your professional team may need to remove or even replace materials in your home, such as drywall, insulation, or flooring. If your home was damaged by a storm, your recovery plan may also include storm damage repair services.
SERVPRO’s restoration team will keep you informed every step of the way and work directly with your insurance company.
How to Prevent Future Flooding
You can’t control the weather, but you can take other steps to reduce your home’s risk of flooding. A little maintenance now can save you a lot of headaches later.
Some practical habits to add to your home care routine:
- Clean your gutters and downspouts regularly to keep water moving away from your foundation.
- Know where your main water shutoff valve is and make sure every adult in your house knows too.
- Inspect the appliance hoses and connections on your washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator at least once a year.
- Check your water heater for signs of rust, corrosion, or leaking.
- Look for cracks in your foundation and seal them before water finds its way in.
- Consider installing a sump pump in your basement or crawl space.
Protect Your Home With SERVPRO
Knowing what to do if your house floods makes all the difference when the moment arrives. Working through the checklist in this article can turn a frightening situation into a manageable one. That includes getting your family to safety, documenting the damage, and calling in the right support.
After the danger has passed, when you need a trusted partner to handle the cleanup, SERVPRO is ready. Our trained restoration professionals will get the water out and dry your house as quickly and safely as possible.
Contact your local SERVPRO today and let us take it from here.
FAQs
Is My House at Risk of Flooding?
The most important thing to know is that any house can flood. Check FEMA flood maps to understand your area’s specific risk level. Keep in mind, however, that heavy rain, a burst pipe, or appliance failures can cause flooding anywhere, regardless of your home’s flood zone designation.
How Can I Protect My House from Flooding?
Clean your gutters regularly. Inspect appliance hoses and your water heater each year. Seal any cracks in your foundation and know where your water shutoff is. You may also want to consider installing a sump pump. These steps can all reduce your risk of water damage at home.
Does House Insurance Cover Flood Damage?
Standard homeowners’ insurance typically doesn’t cover flooding from external sources, like storms or rising water. You’ll need separate flood insurance for that protection. Internal water damage from a burst pipe is usually covered. Always review your specific policy with your insurance provider if you have questions about your coverage.