Water Damage Questions, Answered

It's the process of returning a property to its pre-damage condition after water gets in: removing water, drying the structure, cleaning, and repairing or replacing damaged materials. See water damage restoration.

It's worth professional attention when water has soaked into carpet, drywall, flooring or cabinets, reached more than one room, came from a drain or outside floodwater, or came through a ceiling.

That's your decision, and coverage depends on your policy, the cause and any exclusions. Document the damage with photos, then talk with your insurer about your situation.

Shut off the water source or main valve if you can do so safely, stay away from water near electrical outlets and appliances, move belongings, take photos and call. See emergency water removal.

Water extraction removes standing water and water absorbed into carpet, pad and flooring using extraction equipment, before drying begins. See water extraction.

For a small, clean spill, yes. For larger amounts, water in carpet pad, or any sewage or floodwater, professional extraction removes far more water and handles contamination properly.

Shut off the main water valve, turn off the water heater if the hot line burst, drain remaining water from a low faucet, avoid wet electrical areas, and call a plumber and water damage help. See burst pipe cleanup.

Because hard freezes are rare, many homes have plumbing in attics and exterior walls that isn't protected for cold. When a freeze does happen, those pipes are vulnerable. Pipes also fail from age, corrosion and pressure.

Yes. Floodwater is considered contaminated, so porous materials it touched, like carpet, pad, drywall and insulation, are generally removed rather than dried. See flood damage restoration.

Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood damage from rising water. It's typically covered by separate flood insurance. Check your policies and ask your insurer.

Stay out of rooms with sagging ceilings, photograph damage, arrange temporary protection for the opening, contact your insurer and get drying started. See storm water damage.

It isn't recommended. Sewage can contain bacteria and other contaminants, and porous materials it soaks usually need to be removed. Avoid contact and call for sewage cleanup.

Stop using water in the house, keep children and pets away, avoid touching the water, and call a plumber and a cleanup service.

Often several days, depending on how much water, which materials and how quickly drying started. Moisture readings, not a fixed schedule, determine when it's done. See structural drying.

It may, depending on the materials, conditions and how long they stay wet. Fast, thorough drying is the best way to reduce the risk. If you already see growth, see mold remediation.

After materials are confirmed dry and the water source is fixed. Closing up damp walls or laying flooring over a wet slab can cause the problem to return. See water damage repair.

Below-grade and under-floor spaces collect water and dry slowly. See crawl space water removal and basement water damage.