What to Do After Water Damage: A Colorado Homeowner's Emergency Checklist

Discovering water damage in your home is stressful. Whether it's a burst pipe, a leaking roof, a failed appliance, or flooding, knowing what to do in the first minutes and hours can save you thousands of dollars and prevent additional damage like mold growth.

Here's your step-by-step emergency checklist from the IICRC-certified professionals at Stars and Bars Restoration.

⚡ Immediate Steps (First 15 Minutes)

Step 1: Ensure Safety

• Turn off electricity in affected areas if you can safely reach the breaker box. If there's standing water near electrical outlets or the breaker box, do NOT enter the area — call an electrician first
• Turn off the water supply if the source is a pipe, appliance, or fixture. Your main shutoff valve is usually near the water meter or where the main line enters your house
• Watch for slip hazards — wet floors are extremely dangerous
• Leave the house if you see structural damage, smell gas, or the water source is sewage

Step 2: Call a Certified Restoration Company

Call Stars and Bars Restoration at (719) 676-2456. We answer 24/7 and can guide you through the next steps over the phone while dispatching a team to your location.

Why call a professional first? Restoration companies coordinate with insurance companies, document damage properly, and have the equipment to stop damage from spreading. Waiting even 24 hours can turn a manageable situation into a major restoration project.

Step 3: Call Your Insurance Company

Report the damage as soon as possible. Have this information ready:

• Your policy number
• Date and time you discovered the damage
• The source of the water (if known)
• A general description of the affected areas

Important: Your insurance company may send their own adjuster, but you are NOT required to use their preferred restoration company. You have the right to choose your own contractor.

📸 Documentation (First 30 Minutes)

Step 4: Document Everything

Before any cleanup begins:

• Take photos and videos of all visible damage — floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, belongings
• Photograph the water source if visible
• Note the water level and how far it has spread
• Make a list of damaged items — include descriptions, estimated ages, and approximate values
• Save receipts for any emergency supplies you purchase (fans, towels, etc.) — these may be reimbursable

Step 5: Don't Throw Anything Away

Keep all damaged materials and items until your insurance adjuster has inspected them. If you must remove items for safety, photograph them first and keep them accessible.

🏠 Damage Mitigation (First 1-2 Hours)

Step 6: Remove Standing Water (If Safe)

If the source has been stopped and the area is safe:

• Use a wet/dry vacuum if available
• Use towels, mops, or buckets for smaller amounts
• Do NOT use a regular household vacuum on water

Step 7: Protect Your Belongings

• Move furniture off wet carpets — place aluminum foil or plastic under furniture legs to prevent staining
• Move electronics, documents, and valuables to dry areas
• Hang wet fabrics to dry (curtains, clothing)
• Remove area rugs from wet floors

Step 8: Promote Air Circulation

• Open windows if weather permits (not during rain)
• Turn on ceiling fans
• Do NOT turn on the HVAC system if you suspect water in the ductwork

⏰ The 48-Hour Mold Rule

This is the most important timeline to understand: mold can begin growing within 48 hours of water exposure. Once mold starts, it adds a second (and often more expensive) problem to your restoration.

This is why fast professional response is critical. A certified restoration company will:

• Extract water and begin drying within hours, not days
• Monitor moisture levels to ensure complete drying
• Apply antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold growth
• Document everything for your insurance claim

❌ What NOT to Do

• Don't wait — every hour of standing water increases damage
• Don't use a regular vacuum on water — it's an electrocution risk
• Don't enter rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on
• Don't try to clean sewage yourself — it's a biohazard requiring professional equipment
• Don't remove wet carpet yourself unless the padding underneath is accessible — improper removal can damage the subfloor
• Don't ignore "small" leaks — they often indicate larger hidden problems

Your Emergency Contact

Keep this number saved in your phone: (719) 676-2456 — Stars and Bars Restoration, available 24/7 for water damage emergencies in Southern Colorado.

We serve:

• Colorado City, Pueblo & Pueblo West
• Colorado Springs, Fountain & Monument
• Cañon City & Florence
• Trinidad & Walsenburg
• Alamosa & the San Luis Valley
• La Junta & Rocky Ford
• Raton, NM

Stars and Bars Restoration | IICRC Certified | Veteran-Owned & Woman-Owned | services@sb-resto.com | sb-resto.com