Guides / What to do first

• The First Hour After a Pipe Bursts

  Shut off your home's main water valve first, then shut off electricity to the affected area if water is near outlets or fixtures, and only then start removing standing water. Speed matters because the EPA advises drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.

• What to Do Immediately After Storm Flooding

  Wait for local officials to confirm it's safe to re-enter your home, then confirm electricity and gas are shut off before you go inside. FEMA's guidance on post-flood safety centers on this sequence, because floodwater damage to electrical and gas systems is a leading secondary hazard after the storm itself has passed.

• First Steps After Discovering Mold

  Find and stop the moisture source first; cleaning mold without fixing the leak or humidity problem behind it means the mold will likely return, according to the EPA. Then judge the size of the area, since the EPA's own guidance treats areas under about 10 square feet differently than larger ones.

• What to Do After a House Fire Before the Restoration Company Arrives

  Do not re-enter the home until the fire department has cleared it as safe, and do not run the HVAC system, since smoke particles circulate through ductwork and can spread contamination further. Beyond safety, your main job before a restoration crew arrives is documentation and basic protection of what's left.

• Sewage Backup: Immediate Safety Steps

  Keep children and pets out of the affected area right away, and avoid direct contact with the water. The CDC has identified sewage as a carrier of numerous pathogenic bacteria, parasites, and viruses, including the virus that causes hepatitis A, so the first priority is exposure control, not cleanup.