Water damage checklists

The first-hour checklist prevents the biggest losses. Water off, power off where safe, people out of contaminated water, photographs before anything moves, drying started. The EPA advises drying wet or damp spots within 48 hours to prevent mold.

The claim checklist is just discipline: photograph every room before moving anything, keep every receipt, write a contents inventory while you still remember, and log the date and name of every insurer call.

The contractor checklist is where money is saved. Ask what certification the technicians hold, what standard they work to, exactly what the scope is, how equipment is billed per unit per day, how many days is expected, and whether the paperwork assigns your insurance benefits to them.

The sign-off checklist is the one everyone forgets. Do not let reconstruction start until documented moisture readings show drying goals were met. A wall closed over damp framing becomes a mold job — and Fixr puts mold remediation at an average of about $3,500.

How to choose

First hour

Main water valve off; power off to affected circuits if safely reachable; everyone away from possibly contaminated water; photograph and video everything; begin air movement and extraction.

Claim file

Room-by-room photos and video before moving anything; the water source; the water line on the walls; damaged contents inventory; every receipt; daily drying photos; dated log of insurer calls.

Questions for the restoration company

Certifications held; written scope; hourly labor rate; equipment rate per unit per day; expected days; who is responsible for fixing the source; whether the authorization assigns insurance benefits.

During drying

Ask for daily moisture readings in writing. Confirm which materials are being dried and which are being removed, and why.

Before rebuild

Written confirmation that drying goals were met, with the readings that prove it. Then get competitive quotes for the reconstruction.