What you do in the first hour after a pipe burst, appliance overflow, or storm flood determines whether you face a $3,000 cleanup or a $30,000 reconstruction. Mold begins growing in 24 to 48 hours. Insurance carriers expect immediate mitigation and can deny claims for delays. Here is the same minute-by-minute playbook our IICRC-certified crews follow on every job.
Minutes 0 to 5: stop the source and stay safe
- Shut off the main water valve if the source is plumbing or an appliance.
- Cut power to flooded areas at the breaker before stepping in standing water.
- Evacuate the area if water may be contaminated (sewage, storm runoff, river flood).
- Move children and pets to a dry, safe room.
Minutes 5 to 15: document everything
Before you move a single item, take photos and video of every affected room, the source of the leak, water lines on walls, and any damaged contents. Adjusters approve claims much faster when you have time-stamped documentation.
Minutes 15 to 30: call insurance and a restoration pro
- Open a claim with your carrier and get a claim number in writing.
- Call an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company. Most policies require "reasonable mitigation," meaning you must act fast or lose coverage.
- Ask the restorer to bill insurance directly, ASAP Pro does this on every claim.
- Save every receipt, lodging, supplies, anything you spend out of pocket.
Minutes 30 to 45: protect contents and start extraction
- Move undamaged furniture and valuables to a dry room or garage.
- Lift soaked rugs and remove standing water with a wet/dry vac if it is safe.
- Place aluminum foil under furniture legs to prevent stain transfer to floors.
- Open windows only if outdoor humidity is lower than indoor (rare in Oklahoma summer and during heavy rain).
Minutes 45 to 60: prevent secondary damage
- Do NOT use a household fan, it spreads moisture deeper into walls and grows mold faster.
- Do NOT lift wall-to-wall carpet yourself, it can shrink and become unusable.
- Do NOT enter rooms with sagging ceilings, drywall can collapse without warning.
- Wait for IICRC-certified equipment: commercial air movers, LGR dehumidifiers, and antimicrobial treatment.
What happens after we arrive
ASAP Pro arrives in 47 minutes on average across Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Yukon, and Midwest City. We start with moisture mapping (thermal imaging plus moisture meters), extract standing water with truck-mounted units, and set commercial air movers and LGR dehumidifiers. We monitor drying daily until we hit ASTM-standard dry levels, typically 3 to 5 days. Then we document everything for your adjuster and bill insurance directly.
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Related reading: Water Damage Categories Explained, Homeowners Insurance and Water Damage in Oklahoma, and Will My Oklahoma Policy Cover a Slab Leak?
Need help right now? Call (405) 992-4111 for 24/7 dispatch.