Your essential guide to protecting your home, health, and belongings after water damage.
Floods strike fast—plumbing failures, stormwater overflow, burst pipes, or extreme weather can turn a home upside down in minutes. But what you do in the first 24 hours can mean the difference between minor repairs and long-term structural damage or mould growth.
This step-by-step checklist will help you take safe, effective action before professional help arrives.
1. Prioritise Safety Before Entering the Home
Before stepping inside, make sure you—and your home—are safe.
🔌 Check for electrical hazards
- If water has reached power points or appliances, do not enter.
- Turn off electricity at the main switch if safe to access.
- When in doubt, wait for an electrician.
🧱 Inspect for structural damage
Look for obvious dangers:
- Sagging ceilings
- Buckled floors
- Cracked walls
- Doors or windows jammed from shifting frames
If anything seems unsafe, call emergency services or a qualified builder.
☣️ Watch for contamination
Floodwater may contain:
- Sewage
- Chemicals
- Bacteria
- Sharp debris
Wear protective gear: gloves, boots, long sleeves, and a mask rated P2 or N95.
2. Document Everything for Insurance
Before you remove a single item, take photos and videos of:
- Water levels
- Affected rooms
- Damaged items
- Structural issues
This documentation is crucial for insurance claims.
Keep damaged items aside until your insurer confirms what they need to inspect.
3. Contact Your Insurance Provider
Call as soon as possible to:
- Lodge your claim
- Ask what immediate steps you can take
- Confirm whether you can arrange your own restoration contractor
- Verify what’s covered (e.g., emergency extraction, mould remediation, carpet replacement)
Take notes of every conversation, including names, dates, and instructions.
4. Stop the Source of Water (If Possible)
If the flooding is from inside the home:
- Turn off the main water supply.
- For burst pipes, arrange a plumber immediately.
If it’s stormwater:
- Wait for the water to recede before attempting cleanup.
5. Remove Standing Water Quickly
The longer water sits, the more damage it causes.
If safe, start:
- Using a wet/dry vacuum
- Mopping and pushing water toward drains
- Opening doors and windows to improve airflow
For significant flooding, call an IICRC water damage restoration technician professional to extract and dry property correctly and professionally to avoid any secondary damage.
6. Start Drying the Property
Drying must begin immediately to prevent mould, which can start growing in as little as 24–48 hours.
Boost airflow by:
- Opening windows and doors
- Using fans if the power supply is safe
- Running air-conditioning on ‘dry’ mode
Remove items holding moisture:
- Rugs
- Cushions
- Mattresses
- Soaked furniture
- Damaged carpets (or roll them back to allow floor drying)
If carpets can be saved, fast professional treatment is critical to prevent odours, bacteria, and fibre damage.
7. Salvage What You Can
Separate items into:
- Safe to keep
- Needs professional cleaning
- Unsalvageable
Prioritise:
- Important documents
- Electronics (place somewhere dry and DO NOT turn on)
- Sentimental items
Porous materials (like books and soft furnishings) often need professional drying or replacement.
8. Prevent Mould Growth Before It Starts
Once the area is dry enough to work in, clean surfaces with:
- Warm water
- Mild detergent
Avoid using bleach on carpets, timbers, or fabrics—it can cause damage without killing mould at the roots.
Professionals use moisture meters, antimicrobial treatments, and commercial dryers to eliminate moisture deep inside walls and floors.
9. Arrange Professional Flood Restoration
Even if the water seemed minimal, hidden moisture can cause long-term issues.
Professionals can:
- Extract deep water from carpets and underlay
- Measure structural moisture in walls and floors
- Apply sanitising treatments
- Prevent mould growth
- Supply industrial dehumidifiers and air movers
A proper restoration now prevents thousands in repairs later.
Final Thoughts
A flood can be overwhelming, but taking swift, safe action in the first 24 hours can significantly reduce damage and protect your home. Once the immediate danger has passed, partnering with a professional disaster-cleaning team ensures your property is thoroughly dried, sanitised, and restored.