Water you did not see
Hoses can soak floors, walls and ceilings, and water can run into basements, crawlspaces and the rooms below.
Speed matters
Materials begin to swell and degrade quickly. Drywall, insulation and carpet padding can hold moisture for days.
Drying in a desert climate
Low outdoor humidity helps, but closed-up buildings can trap moisture. Providers use meters and thermal imaging to find hidden wet spots.
Contaminated water
Runoff mixed with soot and debris should be handled with protective gear and may require disposal of affected materials.
What you can do
If it is safe, open windows to ventilate, move small items out of standing water and photograph everything for your claim.
Need help now?
Learn about our water damage cleanup (firefighting runoff) service, or speak with a provider.
This article is general information and not professional, legal or insurance advice. We are a referral service and do not perform restoration work.
