02 Sep What To Do Before Help Arrives: A Homeowner’s Guide to Water Damage Restoration
When water invades your home, the minutes before professional help arrives can make the difference between a quick recovery and a costly rebuild. This simple, step-by-step guide explains exactly what to do while you wait for the Water Damage Restoration Long Beach experts at Coastline Environmental Solutions. Follow these steps to protect your family, stabilize your home, and support a smoother insurance process.
Call the pros first
- Contact Coastline Environmental Solutions immediately. Explain the source (burst pipe, appliance leak, storm, sewer backup), the rooms affected, and when it began. Quick dispatch helps reduce secondary damage and mold risk.
- If you live in a condo or multi-unit building, notify your HOA or property manager as well. Moisture can migrate to neighbors through walls and slabs.
Safety first: Protect people, then property
- Electricity: If water is near outlets, electronics, or the breaker panel, shut off power to the affected zones. Do not step into standing water where live electricity may be present.
- Contamination check: If water is discolored, smells foul, or came from a drain, toilet, or outside flood, avoid contact. Treat it as Category 3 (sewage) and wait for professionals.
- Structural caution: Do not enter rooms with sagging ceilings, buckled floors, or bowing walls. These are collapse hazards.
- Gas and appliances: If you smell gas or suspect appliance damage, step outside and contact your utility company.
Stop the source
- Main water valve: Turn off your home’s main water supply for burst pipes or appliance failures.
- Appliances: Unplug the washing machine, dishwasher, or refrigerator if they’re leaking and it’s safe to access.
- Roof and windows: If stormwater is entering, use buckets, towels, and temporary plastic sheeting to divert the flow until professionals arrive. Avoid climbing on wet roofs.
Document everything for insurance
- Photos and video: Capture the source, standing water, wet walls, baseboards, furniture, and any damaged belongings. Take wide shots and close-ups.
- Note times: Record when the leak started, when you discovered it, and when you shut off the water.
- Keep receipts: Save costs for plumbers, emergency supplies, and temporary lodging.
- Preserve evidence: Do not discard damaged items until your adjuster or the Water Damage Restoration Long Beach experts at Coastline Environmental Solutions advise.
Stabilize and mitigate: What you can safely do If the water is clean and it’s safe to proceed, take these quick steps to reduce damage while you wait:
- Remove small amounts of water: Use a wet/dry shop vacuum, mop, or squeegee on tile, concrete, or vinyl. Never use a household vacuum.
- Protect furniture: Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs. Lift curtains, bedspreads, and cables off the floor. Remove area rugs from wet carpet to prevent dye transfer.
- Save belongings: Move electronics, books, and textiles to a dry room. Lay wet papers flat on a clean surface to air-dry. Prioritize photo albums, heirlooms, and important documents.
- Start ventilation: If outdoor air is dry and weather permits, open windows and doors to increase airflow. Use box fans to move air across wet surfaces—but avoid using ceiling fans if the ceiling is wet or sagging.
- Control the climate: Set the thermostat to 68–72°F to support drying. Avoid turning on heat-only or space heaters without dehumidification; they can drive moisture deeper into walls.
- Contain the area: Close doors to unaffected rooms. If you have plastic sheeting, hang it to separate wet spaces and limit moisture spread.
Don’t make these common mistakes
- Don’t wait: Delaying extraction and drying increases mold growth (which can begin in 24–48 hours) and repair costs.
- Don’t walk on loose, saturated carpet: You can delaminate carpet backing and force water into the pad.
- Don’t remove baseboards or open walls without guidance: You can create safety hazards or complicate insurance coverage. Coastline Environmental Solutions will advise if and when weep holes are needed.
- Don’t use bleach on porous materials: It doesn’t penetrate well and can damage finishes. Pros use EPA-registered antimicrobial solutions tailored to the material and contamination level.
- Don’t turn on HVAC if ducts or returns are wet: You may spread contamination or moisture throughout the home.
Long Beach-specific tips
- Coastal humidity: Marine air slows evaporation. Even if the temperature feels comfortable, high humidity demands professional dehumidification. The Water Damage Restoration Long Beach experts at Coastline Environmental Solutions size equipment to local conditions so materials dry to safe standards.
- Crawl spaces: Storms, irrigation leaks, and king tides can trap water beneath homes. Avoid entering cramped crawl spaces; wait for professionals to pump out water, remove wet vapor barriers, and set dehumidification.
- Multi-unit buildings: Extraction may require portable equipment for upper floors and coordination with building management. Quick documentation helps protect you and your neighbors.
Special scenarios and how to handle them
- Suspected sewage (Category 3): Do not attempt DIY cleanup. Close the door, block traffic, and wait for certified technicians. They’ll extract with dedicated equipment, remove contaminated porous materials, and disinfect safely.
- Saltwater intrusion: Saltwater can corrode metals and electrical components and damage concrete faster than freshwater. Rinse exterior surfaces with clean water if advised, and let professionals handle interior materials to avoid spreading salts.
- Hidden leaks: If you hear hissing behind walls or see baseboards swelling, shut off water at the main and avoid removing finishes. Moisture meters and thermal cameras help our team locate the leak and map moisture accurately.
Prepare for the team’s arrival
- Clear access: Move cars from the driveway and clear a path from the entry to affected rooms. Truck-mounted extraction units and hoses need space.
- Secure pets: Crated pets or a closed room reduces stress for animals and speeds setup.
- Prioritize rooms and items: Make a quick list of what matters most to you (nursery, office, heirlooms) so technicians can focus on salvage first.
- Share information: Provide your insurance policy number, adjuster contact (if assigned), plumber’s report, and any photos or videos you captured.
What to expect from Coastline Environmental Solutions
When our Water Damage Restoration Long Beach experts arrive, they will:
- Verify safety and stop the source.
- Extract standing water using truck-mounted or portable systems sized to your loss.
- Map moisture with meters and thermal imaging to find wet cavities, subfloors, and insulation.
- Set targeted drying: air movers, low-grain refrigerant or desiccant dehumidifiers, and, when appropriate, floor rescue mats for wood.
- Apply antimicrobial treatments as needed and protect unaffected areas with containment.
- Document everything with drying logs and photos to support your insurance claim.
A simple emergency kit to keep on hand
- Wet/dry shop vacuum with squeegee attachment
- Heavy-duty contractor bags and plastic sheeting
- Microfiber towels, mops, and a rubber floor squeegee
- Aluminum foil or furniture blocks
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- Disposable gloves and N95 masks
- Zip-top bags for small valuables and documents
Why homeowners trust Coastline Environmental Solutions
- Fast, local response 24/7 in Long Beach and nearby communities
- Certified Water Damage Restoration Long Beach experts equipped for homes, condos, and coastal conditions
- Transparent communication, clear action plans, and insurer-ready documentation
- A salvage-first mindset to save materials, reduce disruption, and control costs
The bottom line
Act quickly, stay safe, and do only what’s appropriate for the type of water and the conditions. By following the steps above, you’ll limit damage, protect your family, and set the stage for a successful restoration. Then let Coastline Environmental Solutions take it from there. Our Water Damage Restoration Long Beach experts will extract, dry, and restore your home the right way—so you can get back to normal faster and with confidence.