Do This Now, in This Order
- Find where the water is coming from. A burst pipe, a toilet, the water heater, the washer, the AC closet, or water coming in from outside.
- Stop it if it is inside water. Close the valve on that fixture. If you cannot find it, turn off the main water: in most Cape Coral homes the house valve is on the outside wall where the line enters, often near the garage, and the city meter is in a box near the street.
- If water is coming in from outside (storm surge, canal or street flooding), you cannot stop it. Move people, pets and valuables to higher ground or leave if officials tell you to.
- Make the electricity safe. If you can reach the breaker panel while standing on dry ground, switch off the breakers for wet rooms. If the panel is in water, or you would have to step in water to reach it, stay away and call the power company.
- Get people and pets away from sewage or outside water. It is contaminated.
- Take photos and video of the source, the water and everything it touched.
- Lift what you can off the floor: rugs, electronics, papers, shoes, anything cardboard.
- Call for water removal and call your insurance company.
Don't Do This
- Don't walk through water that may be touching outlets, cords or the electrical panel
- Don't use a household vacuum on water
- Don't plug in or turn on anything that got wet
- Don't run fans if the water is sewage, canal or flood water, or if you see mold
- Don't throw away damaged items before photographing them
- Don't wait for the adjuster before starting water removal
Who Do I Call When My House Floods?
| Situation | Call first | Then call |
|---|---|---|
| Burst pipe or supply line | Shut off the water yourself | A water damage company, then a plumber |
| Water heater or appliance leak | Shut off water and power | A water damage company, then a plumber |
| Sewage coming up from drains | Stop using water | A water damage company and a plumber |
| Storm surge, canal or street flooding | 911 if anyone is in danger | Your flood insurer and a water damage company once it is safe |
| Water near the electrical panel | The power company | A water damage company once power is safe |
Is It Clean Water or Not?
- Clean (Category 1): a burst supply line, water heater, fridge line. Still damages your home, but safe to be around.
- Grey (Category 2): washer, dishwasher, AC condensate. Can make you sick; avoid contact.
- Black (Category 3): sewage, toilet overflow with waste, storm surge, canal water. Keep everyone out.
Clean water does not stay clean for long. After a day or two it can become grey water, so start drying quickly.
Is It Safe to Stay in a Flooded House?
You can usually stay if the water was clean, it is confined to a few rooms, the power in those rooms is off or safe, and drying starts quickly. Leave, or stay elsewhere for a few days, if the water is sewage or flood water, the electrical system was affected, the ceiling is sagging, or anyone in the home is very young, elderly, pregnant or has breathing problems.
What It Usually Costs
Nationally, most water damage restoration jobs cost about $1,300 to $6,000, depending on the type of water and how much is wet. Starting the same day is the best way to keep it at the low end.
Photos to Take for Insurance
- The source of the water, up close and from across the room
- Standing water in every affected room
- The high-water line on walls
- Damaged furniture, electronics and belongings, with model and serial numbers
- The failed part, such as a burst hose or valve; keep it
House Flooding Questions
My house is flooding. What do I do?
Stop the source if it is inside water, make the electricity safe from dry ground, get people away from contaminated water, take photos and call for emergency water removal.
Who do I call when my house floods?
A water damage company for water removal, a plumber if a pipe or appliance caused it, the power company if water reached the panel, and your insurance company.
Is it safe to stay in a flooded house?
Often yes for a small clean-water leak with the power made safe. Leave for sewage or flood water, electrical damage, a sagging ceiling or anyone with health risks.
Need Water Out Now?
Call (239) 356-5803. We answer 24/7 for water removal anywhere in Cape Coral, plus North Fort Myers and Fort Myers. See how our emergency water extraction service works once the crew arrives.