When water unexpectedly enters your home—whether from a burst pipe, appliance failure, storm, or sewage backup—the first 60 minutes are critical. What you do in that first hour can significantly reduce damage, lower repair costs, and protect your family’s health.
Water spreads quickly, seeps into hidden spaces, and begins damaging materials almost immediately. Acting fast and smart can make all the difference. Here’s exactly what to do in the first 60 minutes after discovering water damage in your home.
Minute 0–10: Ensure Safety First
Before you focus on saving floors or furniture, make sure everyone in the home is safe.
1. Turn Off the Power (If Safe to Do So)
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If water is near electrical outlets, appliances, or your breaker panel, do not step into standing water. If you can safely access your electrical panel without walking through water, turn off the power to affected areas.
If there is any doubt about safety, wait for professionals.
2. Shut Off the Water Source
If the water damage is from a plumbing issue—like a burst pipe or overflowing appliance—locate your main water shutoff valve and turn it off immediately. This step alone can prevent thousands of dollars in additional damage.
If the water is from heavy rain or flooding, you won’t be able to stop the source—but you can move quickly to limit its impact.
Minute 10–20: Call a Professional Restoration Company
Water damage gets worse by the minute. Within the first hour:
- Drywall begins absorbing moisture
- Wood starts swelling
- Carpet padding soaks through
- Mold can begin developing within 24–48 hours
This is why calling a professional water damage restoration company right away is essential.
Homeowners in Washington trust STOP Restoration Spokane as the leaders in water damage restoration. Their rapid response team understands how critical the first hour is. They arrive quickly, assess the situation, and begin mitigation immediately to prevent further structural damage and mold growth.
The faster professionals begin extraction and drying, the more materials can often be saved.
Minute 20–40: Remove Standing Water (If Safe)
If the water level is shallow and it is safe to do so, begin removing standing water while waiting for professionals to arrive.
You can use:
- Towels and mops
- A wet/dry shop vacuum (never a regular vacuum)
- Buckets
Focus on removing as much visible water as possible. The less water that remains, the less will soak into floors and walls.
However, avoid disturbing contaminated water (such as sewage backups). In those cases, leave cleanup to certified professionals like STOP Restoration Spokane, who have the proper protective equipment and sanitation procedures.
Minute 40–50: Move and Protect Belongings
Water spreads quickly and can wick up into furniture, cabinets, and personal belongings.
Take these steps:
- Move furniture to dry areas
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs
- Remove rugs and carpets if possible
- Pick up books, electronics, and valuables
If you cannot move large items, at least lift them off wet flooring when possible.
Quick action here can save thousands in personal property losses.
Minute 50–60: Start Air Circulation
Air movement helps slow moisture absorption and begins the drying process.
If it is safe:
- Open windows (if weather permits)
- Turn on ceiling fans
- Use portable fans to circulate air
Avoid using your HVAC system if there is significant moisture, as it may spread humidity and contaminants throughout your home.
Professional-grade drying equipment is far more powerful than household fans. STOP Restoration Spokane uses industrial air movers and dehumidifiers designed to remove moisture from structural materials, not just surface water.
Why the First 60 Minutes Matter So Much
Water damage doesn’t just affect what you can see.
Within the first hour:
- Water seeps under flooring
- Insulation becomes saturated
- Drywall absorbs moisture
- Wood framing begins swelling
Within hours:
- Paint can blister
- Cabinets can warp
- Flooring adhesives weaken
Within 24–48 hours:
The first 60 minutes are about damage control. Quick action reduces structural repairs, lowers restoration costs, and prevents long-term issues like mold and rot.
What NOT to Do
During the chaos of water damage, avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t use a regular household vacuum on water
- Don’t enter rooms with sagging ceilings
- Don’t ignore hidden moisture behind walls
- Don’t wait “to see if it dries on its own”
Water trapped inside walls and subfloors won’t simply evaporate. Professional moisture detection tools are needed to identify hidden damage.
STOP Restoration Spokane uses advanced moisture meters and thermal imaging to locate water behind walls and under floors ensuring no moisture is left behind to cause future problems.
The Importance of Professional Water Damage Mitigation
Many homeowners assume water cleanup means just drying visible surfaces. In reality, proper water damage restoration involves:
- Emergency water extraction
- Moisture mapping
- Structural drying
- Dehumidification
- Antimicrobial treatment
- Mold prevention
- Insurance documentation
This is why homeowners throughout Spokane rely on STOP Restoration Spokane. Their experienced team handles everything from emergency response to full restoration, working directly with insurance providers to streamline the claims process.
Their rapid response and thorough mitigation approach help minimize downtime and restore homes safely and efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Water damage is stressful, overwhelming, and often unexpected. But what you do in the first 60 minutes can dramatically reduce the long-term impact on your home.
To recap:
- Ensure safety and turn off power if possible
- Shut off the water source
- Call a professional restoration company immediately
- Remove standing water (if safe)
- Protect belongings
- Increase air circulation
Fast action saves homes.
If you ever face water damage in your Spokane home, don’t wait. Contact STOP Restoration Spokane—the trusted leaders in water damage restoration—to respond quickly, mitigate damage, and restore your home with professionalism and care.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How fast should I respond to water damage?
Immediately. Water spreads quickly and begins soaking into floors, drywall, and furniture within minutes. The sooner you act, the more damage you can prevent—and the more likely your materials can be saved.
2. What is the first thing I should do after discovering water damage?
Your first priority is safety. If it’s safe, shut off the water source and electricity to the affected area. Then call a professional restoration company like STOP Restoration Spokane for emergency response.
3. Can I clean up the water damage myself?
You can handle very small spills (like a minor overflow) yourself, but anything involving soaked drywall, carpet padding, or standing water should be handled by professionals. Hidden moisture can lead to mold and structural issues.
4. How quickly can mold grow after water damage?
Mold can begin developing in as little as 24 to 48 hours if moisture is not properly removed. That’s why fast extraction and professional drying are critical.
5. Should I turn on fans or the HVAC system to dry the area?
You can use fans for air circulation if it’s safe, but avoid using HVAC if water damage is widespread. HVAC can spread moisture or contaminants. Restoration professionals use industrial air movers and dehumidifiers for proper drying.
6. What should I do if the water damage came from a sewage backup?
Do not attempt cleanup yourself. Sewage water contains harmful bacteria and pathogens. Call a certified restoration team like STOP Restoration Spokane, who has the protective equipment and sanitization process to handle it safely.
7. Will my homeowner’s insurance cover water damage?
It depends on the cause. Many policies cover sudden events like burst pipes or appliance leaks, but may not cover flooding or long-term leaks. STOP Restoration Spokane can help document the damage for insurance claims.
8. What signs should I look for that water damage is still present?
Common signs include:
- Musty odors
- Warped flooring
- Bubbling paint
- Stains on ceilings or walls
- Increased humidity
Professionals can detect hidden moisture using thermal imaging and moisture meters.
9. How long does professional water damage restoration take?
Most drying and mitigation takes 3 to 5 days, but full repairs (like replacing drywall or flooring) can take longer depending on the extent of the damage.
10. Why should I choose STOP Restoration Spokane for water damage restoration?
Because they’re known as leaders in water damage restoration in the Spokane area, offering fast emergency response, professional equipment, expert moisture detection, and full-service restoration—from cleanup to rebuild.
