Resources
Emergency Water Damage Checklist for Delaware Homeowners
- Answered 24/7/365
- Rapid local dispatch
- IICRC S500 standards
- Homes & businesses
When water hits, your brain goes blank, which is exactly why this page exists. Print it, tape it inside a cabinet door or screenshot it right now. When the worst day arrives you will not need to think, just follow the list.
Water emergency right now? Call (302) 400-8531, 24/7 emergency dispatch.
(302) 400-8531Immediate: First 30 Minutes
- Shut off the water source
- Turn off electricity to affected areas
- Ensure personal safety
- Call a professional restoration company
- Call your insurance company within 24 hours
- Document everything with photos and video
- Move valuables above the water line
- Do not use household vacuums on water
First 24 Hours
- Professional extraction begins
- Water category and damage class assessed
- Structural drying equipment deployed
- Insurance adjuster notified
- Detailed documentation started
First 48 Hours
If professional drying has not begun, mold risk increases dramatically. Category 1 water may have degraded to Category 2. Hidden moisture migration continues expanding damage.
Days 3 to 7
- Active drying monitored daily
- Moisture readings taken at multiple points
- Equipment adjusted as needed
- Insurance documentation compiled
Completion
- Dry standard achieved and documented
- Equipment removed
- Reconstruction begins
- Final insurance documentation submitted
Keep These Handy
| Item | Where to Keep It |
|---|---|
| Restoration company phone number | On the fridge and saved in your phone |
| Insurance policy number and claims line | With important documents and in your phone |
| Main water shutoff location | Labeled on a card near the panel |
| Electrical panel location | Labeled |
| Water utility emergency number | Saved in your phone |
| Plumber contact | Saved in your phone |
What to Photograph
- Source of the water
- Water lines on walls
- Damaged furniture and belongings
- Appliances and mechanical equipment
- Ceilings, floors and baseboards
- Close-up and wide-angle shots of each room
Related Pages
FAQ
Checklist FAQs
What is the first thing I should do?
Stop the water at the source and make the area electrically safe.
Should I call my insurer before a restoration company?
Do both quickly. Do not delay mitigation waiting for an adjuster.
Can I use fans and open windows?
Household fans are inadequate and open windows can add humidity in summer. Professional drying uses calculated airflow and dehumidification.
How long should I keep documentation?
Keep it at least until the claim is closed and repairs are complete.
Where can I print this?
Use your browser’s print function on this page and keep a copy with your important papers.
24/7 Emergency Line
Get Emergency Water Damage Restoration in New Castle County Call Now
Water damage does not wait, and every hour of delay increases the cost and complexity of restoration. Whether you are standing in a flooded basement right now, watching water spread from a burst pipe, or you have discovered signs of hidden water damage, the next step is the same: call Delaware Water Damage Pros for immediate emergency response.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. No answering services. No appointment scheduling. Direct dispatch to your property.
Request Emergency Service
Or fill out our emergency contact form and a team member will call you back within minutes.