What to Do in the First Hour After Your Basement Floods

The first hour matters more than anything that comes after. Here's what to do, in order.

  1. Shut off the water. If it's a burst pipe or a failed water heater, close the main shutoff. It's usually where the water line comes through the basement wall, near the meter. If water is near outlets or the electrical panel, stay out and call for help.
  2. Move what you can. Get furniture, boxes, electronics and anything valuable up off the wet floor. Put foil or wood blocks under furniture legs you can't move so they don't wick water.
  3. Document everything. Photos and video of every room before anything gets moved further or torn out. Your insurance company will want to see it as you found it.
  4. Call us. We answer 24/7. We'll get the water out, set up drying equipment and start taking moisture readings so nothing hides in the walls.

One call covers it

A flooded basement can turn into a job for a plumber, an electrician and a flooring crew. We have contractors for all trades, so we can bring in whoever the job needs and you don't have to chase five companies. Learn more about our water damage restoration and sewage backup cleanup.

Call or text Ben: (612) 991-5525 any time, day or night.

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