Water Damage at Night or on a Weekend: What to Do
Water damage has a habit of happening at the worst time: late at night, on a weekend, or while you are away from home. The house is quiet, the shops are shut, and the leak is running. The stress is real, but the first steps are the same as they would be at midday.
- ✓ Written for New York homeowners
- ✓ Visit first, then a plan
- ✓ Call to arrange a visit
This guide covers what to do when water damage strikes outside normal hours, and what to expect when you call for help.
Safety first
Do not enter a flooded room, do not handle electrics in standing water, and avoid contact with water that may be contaminated. At night it is tempting to rush in with a torch, but the dark makes it harder to see hazards, so move slowly and stay out of any water you cannot see clearly.
If water is near the breaker panel or any outlet, stay out of the room entirely. Keep children and pets away from wet areas, and do not try to fix a burst pipe in the dark.
Shut the water off if it is safe
If you know where the main shut-off is and you can reach it without stepping into water, turn it off. If you do not know where it is, or you cannot reach it safely, leave it and call for help.
Opening a tap on the lowest floor can help drain the pipes once the main supply is off, but only do this if you can do so safely and without wading through water.
Contain water in general terms
Use towels, buckets and containers to catch drips and soak up shallow water from a dry position, and move small valuables to a dry room. Do not use a household vacuum on standing water, and do not drag heavy furniture through a wet room at night.
Take photos with your phone if you can do so safely, since they help with the call and with any later insurance claim. Note when you first noticed the water and where it seems to be coming from.
Call for help
Call a water damage restoration professional and describe the problem, the rooms affected, and whether the water is still running. Availability outside normal hours is something the operator should confirm, and no guide can promise a response time for any particular loss.
In the Hudson Valley, water damage help in Yonkers can be reached for advice on a night or weekend loss, and emergency water removal explains the first stage of the response. If anyone is at risk, or there is a gas or electrical danger, call emergency services first.
Key Takeaways
- Do not enter a flooded room, do not handle electrics in standing water, and avoid contact with water that may be contaminated.
- If you know where the main shut-off is and you can reach it without stepping into water, turn it off.
- Use towels, buckets and containers to catch drips and soak up shallow water from a dry position, and move small valuables to a dry room.
- Call a water damage restoration professional and describe the problem, the rooms affected, and whether the water is still running.
Ready for the Next Step?
Call to arrange a water damage visit in New York. Describe what you found and we will talk through the next step.
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