Should I try to clean up water damage myself?

You can move valuables and soak up surface water, but household vacuums and fans won't reach water already in walls and subfloor. Professional extraction and drying equipment prevents mold and structural damage.

Is water damage covered by insurance?

If it is sudden and accidental such as a burst pipe, appliance failure, or storm, it is usually covered and you pay only your deductible. We document everything and bill your insurer directly.

Home › What To Do First

Your House Is Flooding — Do These 5 Things First.

Q: What should I do first when my house floods?

Stay safe by watching for electrical hazards, shut off the water source, document the damage with photos and video, and call a certified restoration crew immediately. Fast water extraction limits damage and cost.

Stay safe and limit the damage in the first few minutes. Then call a certified crew — in Cleburne we average under 60 minutes to your door.

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The First 5 Steps

Stay safe — watch for electricity

If water is near outlets, appliances, or the breaker panel, do not walk into it. Electricity and water are deadly together. If in doubt, get everyone out and call from outside.

Shut off the water source

Find your main water shutoff (usually where the line enters the house, or at the street meter) and turn it off. For a water heater or appliance, shut its local valve. This stops the flood from growing.

Cut the power to wet areas — if safe

If you can reach the breaker panel without standing in water, switch off power to the affected rooms. If you can't reach it safely, leave it and tell the crew when they arrive.

Document everything with photos & video

Before you move or clean anything, photograph and video the damage. This is the evidence your insurance company needs to approve your claim.

Call a certified restoration crew

The faster water is extracted, the less it costs and the lower the mold risk. Call us — we respond 24/7, document for insurance, and bill them directly.

⚠️ What NOT to do

Don't use a household vacuum to suck up water — it's an electrocution risk.
Don't walk through standing water near electrical sources.
Don't wait until morning — mold can start within 24–48 hours.
Don't throw out damaged items before photographing them (insurance needs proof).
Don't touch sewage or "black water" — it's a health hazard; let pros handle it.

Why Speed Matters So Much

Water doesn't stop spreading when the source is off — it keeps wicking into drywall, baseboards, subfloor, and framing. Within 24–48 hours, mold begins to grow. The single biggest factor in how much your repair costs is how fast the water gets extracted and the area dried. A same-day response can mean saving your floors instead of tearing them out. That's why we answer live and dispatch immediately, even at 2 AM.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first when my house floods?

Stay safe (watch for electrical hazards), shut off the water source, document the damage with photos and video, and call a certified restoration crew immediately. Fast water extraction is what limits damage and cost.

How quickly can someone come out in Cleburne?

We answer live 24/7 and average under 60 minutes to homes in Cleburne and Johnson County. The sooner we extract the water, the less damage and the lower your cost.

Should I try to clean it up myself?

You can move valuables to dry areas and soak up surface water with towels, but household vacuums and fans won't reach water that's already in your walls and subfloor. Professional extraction and drying equipment is what prevents mold and structural damage.

Is the water damage covered by my insurance?

If it's sudden and accidental — a burst pipe, appliance failure, or storm — it's usually covered, and you pay only your deductible. We document everything and bill your insurer directly.