Water damage is one of those things you never expect — until it happens. A burst pipe at 2 a.m. A washing machine that overflows while you’re at work. A spring storm that sends water into your basement.
Whatever the cause, the first 24 hours are critical. The actions you take right now can mean the difference between a manageable cleanup and a full-blown restoration project. Here’s your step-by-step guide from the team at Revive Restoration, proudly serving Northern Colorado families since day one.
Step 1: Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
Before you touch anything, take a breath and assess safety.
- Stay away from standing water if it’s near electrical outlets, appliances, or your breaker panel. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination.
- Turn off the power to affected areas if you can safely reach your breaker box. If you’re unsure, wait for a professional.
- Watch your step. Wet floors are slippery, and water can hide debris or structural damage underneath.
- If the water is dark, has an odor, or came from a sewer backup, keep everyone — especially kids and pets — out of the area entirely.
Your safety comes first. Everything else can be fixed.
Step 2: Stop the Water Source (If You Can)
If the water is coming from a burst pipe or a leaking appliance, shut off the water supply. Most Fort Collins homes have a main shutoff valve near the water meter, often in the basement or crawl space.
Don’t know where yours is? That’s okay — this is a great reminder to locate it after the dust settles. For now, call a plumber or your restoration team and we’ll handle it.
If the water is coming from outside — snowmelt, storm runoff, or a roof leak — there may not be much you can do to stop it. Focus on protecting your belongings and call for help.
Step 3: Document Everything
Before you start cleaning up, grab your phone and take photos and videos of everything. This is crucial for your insurance claim.
- Photograph every room that’s been affected, even if the damage looks minor.
- Capture the water source if it’s visible (the burst pipe, the leaking appliance, the crack in the foundation).
- Document damaged belongings — furniture, electronics, personal items, flooring.
- Take wide shots and close-ups. More documentation is always better.
Save these in a dedicated folder on your phone. You’ll thank yourself when you file your claim.
Step 4: Call a Professional Restoration Team — Before You Call Insurance
This is the step most homeowners get backwards. Before you pick up the phone to call your insurance company, call a restoration professional first.
Here’s why: your restoration team knows exactly what documentation your insurer needs, how to properly assess the full scope of damage (including hidden moisture you can’t see), and how to communicate with adjusters to make sure nothing gets missed. When your restoration team is already on-site and working, the insurance process goes smoother and faster.
At Revive Restoration, we respond to emergencies 24/7 and work directly with your insurance company from the very first call. We’ll help you document the damage properly, begin mitigation immediately (which your policy requires), and handle the insurance communication so you’re not stuck playing phone tag.
Call us first at (970) 808-2056 — we’ll guide you through the rest.
A professional restoration team will:
- Use industrial equipment to extract standing water fast
- Set up commercial dehumidifiers and air movers to dry the structure
- Use thermal imaging to find hidden moisture behind walls and under floors
- Prevent mold growth before it starts — mold can begin growing in as little as 24 to 48 hours
Step 5: Protect What You Can
While you wait for your restoration team, there are a few safe steps you can take:
- Move valuables to a dry area — photo albums, important documents, electronics, artwork.
- Lift curtains and drapes off wet floors. Loop them over curtain rods or hangers.
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks under furniture legs sitting on wet carpet to prevent staining.
- Remove area rugs from wet floors if you can do so safely.
- Open closet and cabinet doors to promote air circulation.
What NOT to do:
- Don’t use a household vacuum to remove water — it’s not designed for it and can be a shock hazard.
- Don’t turn on ceiling fans or light fixtures in rooms with wet ceilings.
- Don’t try to remove standing water yourself if it’s more than an inch or two deep.
Step 6: Contact Your Insurance Company
Once your restoration team is on the way (or already on-site), it’s time to call your insurance company.
Most homeowner’s insurance policies in Colorado cover sudden and accidental water damage — things like burst pipes, appliance failures, and storm damage. (Gradual leaks and flooding from outside sources typically require separate coverage.)
Call your insurance company to:
- Report the damage and open a claim
- Ask about coverage for professional restoration services
- Get your claim number for your records
The good news? When you call Revive Restoration first, we handle the heavy lifting with your insurer. We provide the documentation adjusters need, communicate directly with them, and manage the back-and-forth so you don’t have to. It’s one less thing on your plate during a stressful time.
Step 7: Don’t Wait — Even If It “Looks” Dry
Here’s what catches a lot of homeowners off guard: water travels. It seeps behind walls, under flooring, and into subfloor materials where you can’t see it.
A room can look dry on the surface while moisture is silently causing damage underneath. That hidden moisture is exactly where mold thrives and structural damage begins.
Professional moisture detection equipment finds what your eyes can’t. Don’t skip this step, even if the visible water is gone.
The Bottom Line
The first 24 hours after water damage set the tone for everything that follows. Act quickly, document thoroughly, and get professionals involved early. The faster you respond, the less damage you’ll deal with down the road.
At Revive Restoration, we’re a locally owned, family-operated team right here in Northern Colorado. Owner Levi is in the day-to-day of the company, and we treat every customer like family. When water damage disrupts your life, we’re here to get things back to normal — quickly and smoothly.
Call us 24/7 at (970) 808-2056 or visit [247revive.com](https://247revive.com) to get started.