If you are standing in your basement at 2 a.m. wondering whether this is worth a call, here is a simple way to decide. Some damage gets worse every hour and needs a crew tonight. Some can safely wait until morning. And a few situations are dangerous enough that safety comes before anything else.
Call now, day or night
- Water is still coming in and you can’t stop it at the shutoff.
- Sewage has backed up into the house.
- There is standing water in the basement or a living area.
- Water is near electrical outlets, cords, appliances or the panel.
- A ceiling is sagging or bulging with water.
If anyone is in danger, or you smell gas, get everyone out and call 911 first.
Usually fine to call first thing in the morning
- A small leak that has stopped, where the area is already mopped up.
- A small, contained spill of clean water on a hard floor.
- An old stain on a ceiling with no active dripping.
Even these are worth having checked within a day or two. A small leak inside a wall can keep materials wet long enough for mold to start.
Why waiting costs more
Water doesn’t stay where it lands. It wicks up drywall, soaks into subfloors and spreads under flooring. Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours after materials get wet. Floors can buckle and ceilings can come down. Insurance companies also expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage once they know about it, so getting help quickly protects your claim as well as your home.
What to do while you wait for the crew
- Get everyone safe, and stay out of standing water near electrical.
- If you can do it safely, stop the water at the main shutoff or the fixture.
- Move valuables, photos, papers and electronics to a dry place.
- Take photos and video of the damage for your insurance claim.
For more detail, read what to do in the first 24 hours after water damage.
What emergency restoration covers
- Water extraction and drying
- Sewer backups and flooded basements
- Stabilizing the home so repairs can be planned
Recoveron answers 24/7
Nights, weekends and holidays, across Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin. Learn more about our 24/7 emergency restoration, or call 920-469-3473 now.
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Just have a question? or call 920-469-3473.
