Do these things first
- Stop the source. Close the main shutoff, usually where the water line enters near the meter, or the valve behind the leaking fixture.
- Cut power to wet areas at the panel, only if you can reach it without standing in water.
- Stay out of contaminated water. Water from a floor drain, toilet backup or from outside is not safe to wade through.
- Take photos before moving anything.
- Send a service request.
What counts as a water emergency
A water emergency is any situation where water is still entering or spreading, where it has reached electrical systems, where it is contaminated, or where it has soaked materials like carpet, drywall or ceilings that will be damaged further within hours.
- A pipe has split and water is running through a ceiling
- The basement has standing water
- A water heater tank has let go
- A toilet or floor drain is backing up
- A washing machine hose has failed while nobody was home
What emergency water removal involves
Containing the spread
Water follows the easiest path: under walls, through floor penetrations and down stairs. The first minutes on site are spent finding where it is heading and blocking or extracting ahead of it.
Removing standing water
Pumps handle deep water. Extractors pull water from carpet, pad and hard floors. See water extraction for how this differs by floor type.
Protecting contents
Furniture is blocked up or moved, rugs are lifted, and boxes are taken off wet floors. Wood furniture legs left on wet carpet will stain it permanently.
Starting the drying
Once liquid water is out, structural drying begins the same visit. Waiting until the next day gives water more time to soak into framing.
What makes it worse
- Running a household vacuum on standing water. It is an electrical hazard.
- Turning up the furnace to “dry it out.” Heat without dehumidification pushes moisture into other rooms.
- Leaving wet rugs, books or cardboard on carpet. They bleed dye.
- Poking a sagging ceiling. A ceiling bulging with water can come down.
Winter emergencies in Anoka
January and February bring the most urgent calls. A supply line in an exterior wall or above an attached garage freezes overnight, then splits. When the house warms up, the pipe thaws and runs. If you are away, set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees and have someone check the house. More on this in frozen pipe water damage.