Water damage guides
Practical answers for the first hours and days after water damage, checked against the EPA, FEMA, the IICRC drying standard and state insurance regulators.
Free call, 24/7(888) 555-0142- Can Wet Carpet Be Saved? Carpet, Pad and the 48-Hour WindowWet carpet can usually be saved if the water was clean and extraction and drying start within 24 to 48 hours.Read the guide
- Can Wet Drywall Be Saved? When to Dry It and When to Cut It OutWet drywall can often be saved if the water was clean, it is dried within 24 to 48 hours, and it shows no swelling with the seams intact, which is EPA's test.Read the guide
- Ceiling Leak: What to Do in the First 15 Minutes and AfterMove people and belongings out from under the leak, turn off power to the room if water is near a light fixture or outlet, and set a bucket underneath.Read the guide
- Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage? What Is and Is Not CoveredYes, a standard HO-3 homeowners policy usually covers water damage that is sudden and accidental, such as a burst pipe or a failed appliance hose.Read the guide
- Flood Insurance vs Homeowners Insurance: Who Pays for Which WaterHomeowners insurance covers sudden water from inside or above, like a burst pipe, but excludes flooding.Read the guide
- Flooded Basement: What to Do in the First Hours and DaysDo not step into a flooded basement until the power is off.Read the guide
- How Fast Does Mold Grow After Water Damage? The 24 to 48 Hour RuleMold can start growing on damp materials within 24 to 48 hours of water damage, according to FEMA, and the EPA says wet areas should be dried within that window to prevent it.Read the guide
- How Long Does Water Damage Take to Dry? Timelines by Material and ClassWith professional extraction, air movers and dehumidifiers, most water-damaged homes take about 3 to 5 days to dry, and HomeAdvisor puts the typical figure at around five days.Read the guide
- How to Choose a Water Damage Company: Checks, Questions and Red FlagsChoose a company you can verify in the IICRC Global Locator, that carries general liability insurance, and that gives you a written, itemized estimate.Read the guide
- How to Prevent Frozen Pipes (and What to Do If One Bursts)Keep the heat on at a steady temperature day and night, never below 55F, let a faucet on exposed pipes drip in hard freezes, open sink cabinets on outside walls, and insulate pipes in attics, crawl spaces and garages.Read the guide
- Sewage Backup Health Risks: Who Should Stay Out and WhySewage backup water is Category 3, the most contaminated class under the IICRC S500 standard.Read the guide
- Signs of Hidden Water Damage: What to Look For and How to TestThe clearest signs of hidden water damage are a musty smell with no visible source, stains or bubbling paint, warped or soft floors, and a water meter that moves when nothing is running.Read the guide
- Water Damage Categories and Classes: The IICRC S500 System ExplainedThe IICRC S500 standard rates water damage two ways.Read the guide
- Water Damage Insurance Claim Tips: 12 Steps That Protect Your PayoutReport the loss to your insurer as soon as possible, photograph everything before it is moved, and start drying right away, because policies require you to prevent further damage.Read the guide
- Water Damage Restoration Cost: Prices by Square Foot, Category and RoomMost US homeowners pay between $1,383 and $6,369 for water damage restoration, with an average of $3,868, according to HomeAdvisor's 2026 cost data.Read the guide
- Water Heater Leaking: What to Do Right Now, Step by StepTurn off the heat source first: the gas control knob to OFF, or the water heater breaker for an electric unit.Read the guide
- Water Mitigation vs Restoration: What Each Stage CoversWater mitigation is the emergency stage: stopping the water, extracting it, removing what cannot be saved and drying the structure so the damage stops spreading.Read the guide
- What to Do After Water Damage: The First Hour, 24 Hours and 48 HoursIn the first hour, stop the water at the main shutoff, cut power to wet areas if you can do it from a dry spot, and get people away from sagging ceilings and sewage.Read the guide