The sequence
Write the time next to each step as you go.
Stop the water
Appliance valve first, then the main if needed. Time: ____
Check safety
Avoid contact with electricity near water; if there is a gas smell, leave and contact the gas utility. Time: ____
Photograph
Wide and close, before moving anything. Time: ____
Remove standing water
Towels, mop and wet vacuum. Time: ____
Protect valuables
Lift furniture, move electronics, pull rugs. Time: ____
Ventilate
Open doors; run fans if safe; avoid heating the house to extremes. Time: ____
Keep the failed part
Bag and label it. Time: ____
Contact sheet
| Who | Name or number to confirm | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | ||
| Appliance technician | ||
| Electrician | ||
| Drying contractor | ||
| Insurance agent or claims line | ||
| Landlord or HOA, if applicable | ||
| Water provider |
Do not
- Do not stand in water near outlets
- Do not use a household vacuum on standing water
- Do not run a fixture with water in it
- Do not poke a bulging ceiling
- Do not throw out the failed part
- Do not sign a contract under pressure
After the first hour
- IfWater is stopped and floor is mostly dryContact a drying contractor and your insurer for next steps.
- IfWater is still flowingClose the main, and if it will not close, contact the water provider or a plumber.
- IfCeiling below is wetKeep people clear and avoid the fixtures; call for help.
- IfYou are unsure of the dangerLeave the area and ask the right authority.
Keeping this handy
Print two copies: one in the laundry or kitchen cabinet and one with your insurance papers. Review it with everyone in the household.
Practice helps. Once a year, read the worksheet together and ask each person to point at the main shutoff and the laundry valves without prompting. If anyone hesitates, update the map or move the obstruction.
Also decide in advance who does what. One person can handle the shutoff and the safety checks while another takes photographs and a third calls providers. In a one-adult household, the order matters even more, so keep the first three steps short and memorable: water off, power safe, photographs on.
If you rent, add your landlord or property manager to the contact sheet and read the lease for notice requirements; a prompt message often matters as much as the cleanup. Keep a copy of that message in your records.
General information for Arvada, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.