Finding water in a finished family room or bedroom is stressful. What you do in the first day or two makes a big difference in how much you have to replace.
1. Stay safe
If water is near outlets, cords or the furnace, keep out and shut off power to the area at the panel if you can do so safely. Don't walk through standing water near electrical equipment.
2. Find out if it's still coming
Check the sump pump first. If it's not running or the basin is overflowing, that's your emergency. If the water is coming from a wall or the floor joint, note where.
3. Take photos
Document the water, damaged items and where it entered before you clean up. You'll want them for any insurance conversation and for the contractor.
4. Dry it fast
Remove standing water, pull up wet rugs and pad, move furniture, and run fans and a dehumidifier. Wet drywall and carpet pad that stay damp for a couple of days can start to grow mold.
5. Call your insurance agent
Coverage varies a lot. Sudden events such as a burst pipe are often treated differently from seepage or groundwater, and sump pump backup is frequently an add-on. Ask what your policy covers.
6. Fix the cause
Once things are dry, have a waterproofing contractor find where the water came in. Replacing drywall and carpet without fixing the source usually means doing it again next spring.
If water is coming in right now, call us and we'll connect you with a local contractor.