Your Emergency Response Plan for Water Damage

Discovering water damage in your home can be an incredibly stressful and overwhelming experience. Whether it's a burst pipe flooding your kitchen, a leaking water heater in the garage, or storm damage from a severe Central Texas thunderstorm, knowing what to do immediately can significantly reduce the severity of the damage and lower the ultimate cost of repairs.

At Austin Water Damage Pros, we have responded to thousands of water emergencies across the Austin area. We've compiled this step-by-step guide to help you take the right actions in those crucial first few hours.

The First 15-Minute Panic Checklist

When clean or black water is actively spreading across your home, follow these 4 urgent steps immediately:

1

Cut the Main Water

Walk out to your front curb/sidewalk. Open the iron "Austin Water" meter box and turn the brass tab 90° clockwise with a water meter key or wrench.

2

Assess Electric Danger

If water reaches baseboard outlets, stay out! Do not step in water. Shut off main power ONLY if the electrical breaker panel is bone-dry.

3

Call Restoration First

Plumbers only patch pipes. Water restoration stops sheetrock rot, buckled floors, and mold. Call (512) 991-0679 for 45-min arrival.

4

Snap 10-15 Photos

Take clear photos and video of the leak source and wet belongings before moving items. Essential for Texas TDI insurance claims.

Emergency Truck Ready to Dispatch: We arrive with truck-mounted water extractors across Austin in 45 minutes or less.
📞 Call (512) 991-0679

Step 1: Ensure Safety First

Your primary concern should always be the safety of you and your family. Water and electricity are a deadly combination. Before you step into a flooded area, take these precautions:

  • Electrical Hazards: If water has risen above electrical outlets or submerged any plugged-in appliances, do not enter the room. Turn off the power to the affected area from your main breaker panel if you can do so safely. If the breaker panel is in the flooded area, wait for a professional.
  • Slips and Falls: Wet floors, especially tile and hardwood, are incredibly slippery. Walk carefully.
  • Contaminated Water: If the water is coming from a backed-up sewer line, it contains harmful bacteria and pathogens. Do not touch it without extensive protective gear.

Austin Specific Tip: How to Shut Off the Street Curb Valve

In almost all Austin neighborhoods (from Circle C to Mueller), your city water meter is housed in a rectangular ground box near the street curb labeled "Austin Water".

  1. Use a large flathead screwdriver to pry open the heavy iron or plastic lid.
  2. Inside, locate the brass valve on the street side of the meter (it has a raised oblong tab with a hole).
  3. Fit a 5-way water meter curb key (or adjustable crescent wrench) over the tab and turn it 90 degrees clockwise until the hole on the valve lines up with the hole on the pipe collar.
  4. If the valve is stuck or rusted, do not force it and risk snapping the municipal line—call us immediately at (512) 991-0679.

Step 2: Stop the Water Source

If the flooding is caused by a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, or a broken appliance hose, your immediate priority is to stop more water from entering your home.

  • Turn off the specific valve behind the toilet or under the sink if the leak is localized.
  • If a pipe has burst inside a wall or ceiling, immediately head outside and shut off the main water supply to the entire house.

Who Should You Call First: A Plumber or Water Restoration?

This is the #1 question homeowners ask when facing an active flood. Here is the vital difference:

The Plumber's Role

  • Locates and soders/replaces broken copper or PEX pipes
  • Replaces failed angle stops or ruptured water heaters
  • Clears blocked sewage drain laterals
  • Limitation: Plumbers leave as soon as the pipe is fixed. They do NOT extract standing water, dry saturated drywall framing, or treat for mold.

Austin Water Damage Pros

  • Arrives in 45 minutes with emergency shutoff keys
  • Extracts standing water with industrial truck-mounts
  • Sets up commercial air movers and dehumidifiers to save your flooring
  • Dispatches or coordinates with top-rated local Austin plumbers directly
  • Bills your insurance carrier directly so you pay zero out-of-pocket up front

Step 3: Call Restoration Professionals

Time is of the essence when dealing with water damage. The longer water sits, the deeper it penetrates into porous materials like drywall, wood framing, and insulation. Furthermore, in Austin's warm and humid climate, mold can begin growing in as little as 24 to 48 hours.

Call a professional, IICRC-certified water damage restoration company immediately. They have the industrial-grade extraction equipment and high-powered dehumidifiers necessary to dry your home properly and prevent mold growth.

Need Immediate Help in Austin?

Our rapid response team is available 24/7. We can be at your door quickly to start the mitigation process and stop the damage from spreading.

Call Now: (512) 991-0679

Step 4: Document the Damage for Insurance

Before you start moving things around or cleaning up, thoroughly document the scene for your homeowner's insurance claim. Take extensive photos and videos of:

  • The source of the water (the burst pipe, overflowing appliance, etc.).
  • All affected rooms, capturing the standing water and damage to floors, walls, and ceilings.
  • Damaged personal belongings, furniture, and electronics.

Do not throw away any ruined items until an insurance adjuster has authorized it, as they need to verify the loss.

Step 5: Start Initial Mitigation (If Safe)

While you wait for the professionals to arrive, there are a few things you can do to minimize the impact, provided the area is safe to enter:

  • Move valuables: Relocate important documents, small electronics, and irreplaceable items to a dry, safe place.
  • Protect furniture: If you can't move large wooden furniture out of the wet area, place aluminum foil or plastic blocks under the legs to prevent wood stain from bleeding into wet carpets.
  • Absorb standing water: Use mops, towels, and a wet/dry shop vacuum to remove as much standing water as possible.
  • Increase air circulation: Turn on air conditioning (if it's safe and the ductwork isn't flooded) and open windows to promote airflow, which helps the drying process.

Step 6: What NOT to Do

Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do. Avoid these common mistakes:

  • DO NOT use a standard household vacuum cleaner to suck up water. You risk a severe electrical shock and will ruin the vacuum.
  • DO NOT enter rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
  • DO NOT leave wet fabrics (rugs, curtains, clothing) sitting in place. Move them to a dry area or outside.
  • DO NOT turn on ceiling fixtures (fans, lights) if the ceiling is wet or sagging.
  • DO NOT consume any food that may have come into contact with floodwater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I call first when I find water damage?

If it's an active leak, call a plumber or shut off the water yourself. Immediately after, call a professional water damage restoration company like Austin Water Damage Pros to mitigate the damage. You should also contact your insurance provider to report the incident.

Is it safe to stay in a house with water damage?

It depends on the severity. If the water is contaminated (sewage), if there are electrical hazards, or if structural integrity is compromised, you should leave immediately. For minor clean water leaks, you may be able to stay, but it's best to consult a professional.

Should I use my home vacuum to remove water?

No. Never use a standard household vacuum to remove water. This poses a severe risk of electrical shock and will ruin the vacuum. Only use a wet/dry shop vacuum that is specifically designed for liquids.

How quickly can mold start to grow?

In Austin's warm and humid climate, mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours after water damage occurs if the area is not properly dried.

Where is my main water shutoff valve typically located in Austin?

In Austin, the main water shutoff valve is usually located outside, near the street or sidewalk, inside a concrete or plastic meter box in the ground. You may need a specialized 'water meter key' tool to turn it off.