06/16/2026
Water Damage? Here's What To Do In The First 60 Minutes
The first hour after discovering water damage can make a HUGE difference in the amount of damage, cost, and recovery time.
Here's what to do ๐
โฑ๏ธ First 5 Minutes
โ Stay calm
โ Determine where the water is coming from
โ Shut off the source if possible
๐ Stopping the water is priority #1
โก Next 10 Minutes
โ Turn off electricity to affected areas if safe
โ Move valuables and important items
โ Remove electronics from wet areas
Safety comes first.
๐ง Next 15 Minutes
โ Remove standing water if possible
โ Use towels, mops, or a wet vac
โ Lift furniture off wet flooring
๐ The faster water is removed, the less damage occurs.
๐ธ Next 15 Minutes
โ Take photos of everything
โ Document damaged contents
โ Record where the water originated
Good documentation helps support insurance claims.
๐ Next 15 Minutes
โ Contact your mitigation company
โ Contact your insurance company
โ Begin the claim process
The sooner professionals arrive, the better.
โ ๏ธ What NOT To Do
โ Don't use household fans on contaminated water
โ Don't ignore wet drywall or insulation
โ Don't assume the area is dry because the surface looks dry
Hidden moisture causes major problems.
๐๏ธ Local Insight (Columbia Falls & Flathead Valley)
In Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Kalispell, and surrounding areas, we commonly see homeowners lose valuable time trying to determine if the damage is "bad enough."
๐ If you're asking that question, it's worth making the call.
๐ข Bottom Line
The first hour matters.
Fast action can:
โ Reduce damage
โ Lower repair costs
โ Improve claim outcomes
โญ๏ธ Next in the Series:
The 5 biggest mistakes homeowners make after water damage
๐ Serving Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Kalispell, Eureka, Libby, Troy
๐ 406-752-8040
๐ www.statrestore.com