Should I call my insurance company or a restoration company first?

Document the damage first, then call both as soon as reasonably possible. A restoration company can usually respond faster for the active emergency, while your insurer needs to be notified to start the claims process.

Is it safe to enter a flooded basement?

Not if there's any chance of electrical exposure near outlets or appliances sitting in water. Stay out and wait for a professional assessment if you're unsure.

How fast does mold start after water damage?

Mold can begin colonizing within 24 to 48 hours of water sitting untreated, which is why calling for extraction and drying quickly matters more than almost anything else in the first day.

The First 24 Hours After Water Damage: What to Do

Step One: Make Sure It's Safe

Before doing anything else, check for electrical hazards. Standing water near outlets, appliances, or electrical panels means staying out of the area until power is confirmed off or a professional assesses it. Don't risk shock to save a few minutes.

Step Two: Stop the Source if You Can

If it's a burst pipe, shut off the main water supply valve if you know where it is and can reach it safely. If it's a roof leak or storm intrusion, you generally can't stop that yourself, and waiting for a crew is the right call.

Step Three: Document Before You Touch Anything

Take photos and video of the damage as you found it, before moving furniture or starting any cleanup. This documentation matters for your insurance claim regardless of what caused the damage. Note the time you discovered it too.

Step Four: Call a Restoration Company

Every hour of delay increases how much of your home gets affected. Water migrates through walls and under flooring within the first hour, and mold can begin colonizing within 24 to 48 hours. Our emergency water damage restoration service answers live, 24/7, and gets a crew moving as soon as one is available.

Step Five: Call Your Insurance Company

Report the damage to your insurer once you've documented it and called a restoration company. Most policies include a duty to mitigate further damage, and acting promptly on both fronts protects your claim.

What Happens When the Crew Arrives

Expect an assessment with moisture meters and thermal imaging to map the full extent of the damage, followed by extraction of any standing water, then structural drying equipment placement. Our water extraction process starts the moment we confirm the scope.

What Not to Do in the First 24 Hours

Don't run household fans expecting them to dry a wall cavity, they only move air across the surface and don't address deeper moisture. Don't delay calling because you're not sure about insurance coverage, document first and sort out coverage questions afterward. Don't attempt to clean contaminated water yourself, that's a job for biohazard-trained technicians.

Dealing with water damage right now in Wilmington? Call us immediately at (302) 267-7950. A live dispatcher answers, day or night.