The first hours after a flood decide how much of your home you can save. Water spreads and soaks in fast, so a calm, quick response makes a real difference. Here are the eight steps to take, in order.
1. Make sure it’s safe before you go in
Flood water and electricity are a deadly combination. Don’t enter a flooded area if water is near outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel. If you can reach the main breaker safely and dry, shut off power to the affected area — otherwise, call an electrician or your utility. Watch for structural damage, and never wade through fast-moving or deep water.
2. Stop the source if you can
If the flooding is coming from inside — a burst pipe, an overflowing appliance, a failed water heater — shut off the water at the fixture or the main valve. If it’s coming from outside (rising water, an overwhelmed storm drain), there’s nothing to shut off; focus on safety and getting help.
3. Call for professional help early
Water damage worsens by the hour, and mold can start within 24 to 48 hours. Calling a 24/7 restoration crew early means extraction and drying start sooner — which saves more of your home and lowers the final cost. Our team provides emergency flood cleanup across the Ann Arbor area, any time of day or night.
4. Document everything for insurance
Before you move or throw anything away, photograph and video the damage thoroughly — the water line on the walls, damaged belongings, and affected rooms. This documentation is critical for your claim. Then call your insurer to report the loss. Our insurance and claims guide explains what’s usually covered.
5. Protect yourself from contaminated water
Not all flood water is clean. Outdoor flooding and sewer backups carry bacteria and other contaminants — treat that water as a health hazard. Wear boots and gloves, keep children and pets away, and don’t try to salvage porous items (carpet, mattresses) that soaked up contaminated water.
6. Move what you can to dry ground
If it’s safe, move furniture, electronics, documents, and valuables out of the water and into a dry area. Lift what you can off wet floors. The less time your belongings spend submerged, the better their odds of recovery.
7. Start air moving — carefully
If the area is safe and dry enough electrically, open windows and run fans to start air circulation. This helps, but understand its limit: fans move surface air, they don’t dry moisture trapped in subfloors, walls, and framing. That deeper drying needs professional equipment.
8. Don’t wait for it to “dry on its own”
The most expensive mistake homeowners make is assuming a flooded space will dry itself. Trapped moisture leads to warped floors, ruined drywall, and mold weeks later. Professional flood cleanup uses moisture meters and commercial drying equipment to make sure the structure is actually dry — not just dry to the touch.
Dealing with a flood right now? Don’t wait — the sooner water is extracted and drying begins, the more we can save. Our local crew answers 24/7. Learn more about our flood cleanup service or call us any time.