Water damage in your home? Here’s what to do right now.
Water damage moves fast. A burst pipe, an overflowing appliance, or a flooded basement can cause thousands of dollars in structural damage within hours — and mold can begin growing in as little as 24 hours if surfaces aren’t properly dried. Follow these steps immediately to protect your family, limit your losses, and maximize your insurance claim.
Every minute of delay increases structural damage and mold risk.
0 of 6 steps done
Immediate safety — first 5 minutes
Cut the electricity to affected areas
Safety first
- Go to your breaker box and switch off the circuits for the affected rooms.
- If your breaker box is in the flooded area, call an electrician before entering — do not risk it.
- Do not touch any electrical outlets, switches, or appliances while standing in water.
Stop the water source
Stop the bleeding
Every second the water source is running adds more damage. Find and shut it off immediately.
- Burst pipe or plumbing leak: shut off the main water valve, usually in the basement, utility room, or outside near the foundation.
- Appliance leak (washer, dishwasher, fridge): pull the appliance away from the wall and turn the valve behind it clockwise to close.
- Roof or window leak: cover openings with tarps or thick towels to slow the flow until professionals arrive.
- Sewage backup: do NOT attempt to clean it yourself. Sewage contains serious health hazards — call us immediately.
Protect your property — next 10 minutes
Move valuables and furniture to dry ground
Reduce losses
Acting fast here can save thousands in preventable losses. Move quickly but only if it’s safe to enter the area.
- Remove electronics, documents, photos, and irreplaceable items first.
- Lift furniture legs off wet carpet using aluminum foil, wood blocks, or plastic bags — dye and rust permanently stain carpet within hours.
- Remove colored rugs from wet hardwood floors immediately — the dye will bleed and stain the wood.
- Do not move anything if doing so requires stepping into standing water (see step 1 on electricity).
Document everything with photos and video
Protect your claim
Your insurance company will require proof of damage. Take photos and video before removing anything or starting any cleanup.
- Film a slow walkthrough video of every affected room before touching anything.
- Photograph water levels on walls, damaged furniture, flooring, ceilings, and the source of the water.
- Take close-up shots of any visible structural damage — warped floors, cracked drywall, water stains.
- Back up all photos and videos to the cloud immediately in case your phone or computer is later damaged.
Call a professional — do not wait
Call a water damage restoration team
Critical timing
Industrial air movers, dehumidifiers, and moisture meters are required to confirm that your structure is truly dry — not just surface-dry. Skipping professional drying is the #1 cause of mold problems after water damage.
- Call Upkeep Water Damage Restoration at 385-250-2863 — we respond immediately and serve Layton and all surrounding areas.
- We handle water extraction, structural drying, sanitization, and mold prevention — all in one call.
- We work directly with insurance companies and can help you document the damage for your claim.
Notify your insurance company
Don’t delay
Most homeowner policies require you to report water damage promptly. Delaying notification can result in a reduced or denied claim.
- Call your insurance company’s claims line — the number is on your insurance card or in your policy documents.
- Tell them the source of the water, which rooms are affected, and that you’ve already called a restoration company.
- Ask what documentation they need, what your deductible is, and whether they have a preferred vendor list.
- Keep a written log of every call — date, time, name of the person you spoke with, and what was discussed.
We respond immediately in Layton, UT
Water extraction · Structural drying · Mold prevention · Insurance support