Stop the water, protect what's below it, then figure out who you actually need. Plenty of leaks need a plumber and a few fans, not a restoration crew. Tell the advisor what's happening and it will help you sort out which one you're dealing with.
The source is a pipe, water heater, toilet, faucet, appliance hose or drain. A plumber stops and fixes the leak. That is usually the first call.
Water shows up during or after rain, often on a top floor or around a chimney, skylight or vent. A roofer finds and fixes the entry point.
Water reached drywall, ceilings, insulation, carpet or finished rooms, ran for hours unnoticed, came from sewage or floodwater, or things are still damp after two days. They dry the structure and remove what can't be saved.
A small spill on tile, vinyl or concrete, stopped quickly and dried within a day or two. Keep it ventilated and watch for a musty smell over the next week.
Many situations need two of these in order: a plumber or roofer to stop the source, then drying help if the water spread. Not sure which you are in? Ask the advisor and describe what happened.
Flooded basement, toilet overflow, leak under the sink, or something else? Tell the advisor what you're seeing and it will walk you through it.
Homeowners policies often treat sudden and accidental damage (a pipe that bursts, a tank that fails) differently from slow leaks, wear and long-term neglect, and flood from outside water usually needs separate flood coverage. The pipe or appliance that failed is often not covered even when the water damage is. Take photos before cleanup, keep receipts for fans, dehumidifiers and emergency repairs, and call your insurer early. Your insurer makes the coverage decision, not a contractor and not us.
Before you sign anything with a restoration company, ask what they will dry, how they will measure moisture, and what they plan to remove. If a quote seems large for what you saw, the advisor can read it with you: send a photo of the estimate.
Mold can start on materials that stay wet for more than about 24 to 48 hours, which is why drying fast matters more than testing early. If it has been a few days and you notice a musty smell or new spots, our sister site Honest Mold Test covers what's worth worrying about and what isn't.
Usually a plumber first, to stop and fix the source. Call a water damage (restoration) company if water reached drywall, ceilings, insulation, carpet or finished rooms, ran for hours unnoticed, came from sewage or floodwater, or areas are still damp after two days of drying. Small spills on hard surfaces that dry within a day or two often need no one.
Shut off the water at the nearest valve or the main shutoff, keep away from water near outlets or the electrical panel, move belongings out of the way, and take photos before cleaning up. For a roof leak, catch the water and protect what's below until a roofer can fix it.
Mold can begin growing on damp materials within about 24 to 48 hours. Drying everything within that window is the most useful thing you can do.
Often for sudden and accidental events like a burst pipe, less often for slow leaks or neglect, and flood from outside water usually needs separate flood insurance. Document everything and call your insurer early; they make the coverage decision.
Talk to an independent water damage specialist. No obligation, and they can tell you if you need them at all.
(888) 845-1163