Water Damage

What to Do in the First Hours After Water Damage in Your Home

Steps to take right after discovering water damage, and when to call a certified restoration contractor.

5 min readUpdated October 15, 2026

Air movers and a dehumidifier drying a room with drywall removed

If it's safe, stop the water source, turn off electricity to affected areas, move belongings out of the water and call a restoration contractor quickly. Our response time is 60 minutes or less at (919) 440-1477.

Put safety first

Don't walk through standing water near outlets or electrical equipment. If it's safe, shut off power to the affected area.

If the water source is a pipe or appliance, shut off the water supply.

Protect your belongings

Move furniture, rugs and valuables away from wet areas when you can do so safely.

Take photos of the damage for your records.

Call for help quickly

Water can spread into walls, floors and framing. A prompt response helps limit the damage.

Robert Paul Contracting provides water, fire and mold damage restoration, and the owner is IICRC certified in water and fire damage restoration.

Next steps

Ready to talk it through? Request an estimate or call (919) 440-1477. Our response time is 60 minutes or less, and veterans receive 5% off.

Frequently asked questions

Do you handle commercial water damage?

Yes. We provide residential and commercial emergency restoration.

How fast do you respond?

60 minutes or less.

Learn about Water, Fire & Mold Damage Restoration

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