Emergency Water Damage Service: What Happens When You Call

If water is pouring into your home right now, call (855) 229-9998. A 24/7 emergency water damage service answers the phone at any hour and sends a crew to stop the damage from spreading. The rest of this page explains what happens after you call, so nothing surprises you at 2 AM.

What to do before the crew arrives

You can limit the damage in the first few minutes, and every minute counts because water soaks into drywall, flooring and insulation quickly.

• Shut off the main water valve if a pipe has burst.
• Turn off power to wet areas at the breaker, but only if you can reach it without standing in water.
• Move furniture, rugs and valuables out of the water.
• Take photos and video of the damage before anything is moved. Your insurer will want them.
• Open drawers and cabinet doors where water is trapped, and stay out of the water if it may be sewage.

What the crew does when they get there

A proper emergency response follows the same order on almost every job.

1. Assess. The technician finds the source, checks how far the water has spread and uses moisture meters to find wet material you cannot see.
2. Stop the source. If the leak is still running, it gets shut off or contained first.
3. Extract. Pumps and extraction vacuums remove standing water and pull water out of carpet and pad. Our article on what to expect from water extraction covers this step in detail.
4. Dry. Commercial air movers and dehumidifiers dry the structure over several days. See how long water damage takes to dry.
5. Document. Moisture readings and photos are recorded so your insurance claim has proof of what happened and what was done.

Stopping the damage is called mitigation. Rebuilding afterward is restoration, and they are not always done by the same crew. The difference is explained in water mitigation vs water restoration.

Why speed matters

Water that sits turns a simple dry-out into a bigger job. Wet drywall and insulation can start to grow mold within a day or two in the right conditions, and wood floors can cup or buckle. Starting extraction early usually means fewer materials need to be torn out.

How to tell a real 24/7 service from a call center

Some "emergency" numbers are lead brokers that sell your call to whoever pays. A few questions sort this out quickly.

• Who is answering, and which company will actually send the crew?
• Do they own their drying equipment, or are they subcontracting?
• Will they document the loss with photos and moisture readings for your insurer?
• Do they explain the plan and the scope before they start work?

If the answers are vague, call someone else. For a longer checklist, read how to choose a water damage restoration company.

Insurance and emergency work

Many homeowner policies cover sudden water damage, such as a burst pipe, but not slow leaks or flooding from outside. Coverage depends on your policy, so ask your insurer. Keep receipts and photos, and do not throw away damaged materials until the adjuster has seen them or approved disposal. Our guide to filing a water damage insurance claim walks through the steps.

Call now

Aqua-Pro Restoration handles emergency water damage across Long Island and New York City. Call (855) 229-9998 any time, day or night, or see our water restoration service.

What counts as a water damage emergency?

Any water you cannot stop or contain yourself: a burst pipe, a sewage backup, a flooded basement, a failed sump pump, or water coming through a ceiling. If water is spreading, touching electrical outlets or has been sitting for more than a few hours, treat it as an emergency.

Should I call my insurance company or a restoration company first?

Call the restoration company first so the water stops spreading, then call your insurer. Photograph everything before cleanup starts. Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to limit further damage, and a restoration company can document the loss for your claim.

Is it safe to stay in the house during a flood?

Not if water is near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel, or if it came from a sewage backup. Stay out of wet areas, shut off power to them only if you can reach the breaker without standing in water, and wait for help.