What Should Every Homeowner Have Ready for a Water Emergency?

Your first action in a water emergency is often stopping the flow. Locate your main water shutoff valve now, before any leak or burst occurs. This valve is typically found where the main water line enters your home, often in a garage, a utility closet, or a crawlspace. Also, know where your electrical panel is so you can safely cut power to affected areas if flooding threatens outlets or appliances.

Keep your shutoff valve location written down and share it with everyone in the household. Practice turning the valve so you can do it under pressure. For gas lines, know the shutoff location but only operate it if you smell gas and can do so safely. In that case, leave the home immediately and call the utility company from outside.

Detailed records are vital for your insurance claim. Create a home inventory with photos or videos of each room and your belongings. Store this documentation digitally in a cloud service or on a portable drive kept off-site. This provides proof of your possessions' condition and value before any damage occurs.

After a water event, document the damage thoroughly before any cleanup begins. Take clear, timestamped photos and videos of all affected areas, items, and the water source. Keep receipts for any emergency supplies you purchase. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered, so this evidence supports your communication with them.

Decide in advance who will handle key tasks. Assign someone to shut off utilities, another to move valuables, and someone to document damage. Keep a list of emergency contacts, including the number for your water utility, a trusted plumber, and your insurance company's claims department. Also, research and save the contact for local water damage pros.

Your plan should include steps for immediate safety, like evacuating if electrical hazards exist. Review this plan with your household annually. When water damage occurs, your quick, organized response can limit secondary damage like mold growth. The priority is to stop the water and call for professional help to properly dry and restore your home's structure.

• Contact card with numbers for your plumber, electrician, and insurance agent.
• Saved contact information for professional water damage restoration services.
• A predetermined location for family to meet if the home is unsafe.
• A list of which high-value items to relocate first.
• Instructions for how to safely access your circuit breaker panel.
• Copies of critical documents in a waterproof, portable container.