Water damage has a way of happening at the worst possible times — a pipe bursts in the middle of the night, a storm pushes water under your door, or you come home to a flooded floor with no idea how long it's been sitting there.
If you're in this situation right now, take a breath. You don't have to figure it all out at once. Here's exactly what to do, step by step.
Step 1: Make Sure It's Safe to Stay Inside
Before anything else, your safety comes first...
Step 2: Stop the Source If You Can
- Burst pipe? Shut off your main water valve
- Appliance leak? Turn off supply line
- Roof leak? Focus on containment
Step 3: Call Your Restoration Company
Water damage spreads fast. The sooner you act, the less damage you’ll have.
Step 4: Document Everything for Insurance
- Take photos and videos
- Capture the source
- Document damaged items
Step 5: Move What You Can — Carefully
Move items if safe, but don’t rely on household drying methods.
Step 6: Trust the Drying Process
Professional drying takes several days and prevents mold.
A Note About Living on the Coast
Fort Bragg and the Mendocino Coast have higher humidity, which impacts drying and mold growth.