Homeowner Guide

Standing Water in Your Lubbock Home? The First 60 Minutes Decide the Damage

Water damage runs on a clock. Drywall starts wicking within minutes, engineered flooring swells within hours, and mold gets its foothold within a day or two. The good news: the first hour is also when a homeowner's actions matter most.

Minutes 0–10: stop the source. If the water is coming from plumbing, close the fixture valve; if you cannot find it or it does not stop the flow, close the main shut-off — in most Lubbock homes it is at the meter near the street or where the line enters the house. If water is near outlets, appliances or the panel, switch off power to the affected rooms at the breaker before walking in.

Minutes 10–30: protect what can be lost. Move rugs, soft furnishings, electronics and anything cardboard off wet floors. Put foil or wood blocks under furniture legs that cannot be moved. Mop or towel the edges if the water is clean — not to fix anything, but to slow its spread into the next room.

Minutes 30–60: document and call. Photograph every affected room before anything is moved further — those photos are gold for an insurance claim. Then call (806) 217-9635. While the crew travels, keep doors to wet rooms open for air, and never do these three things: use a household vacuum on standing water, walk through sewage water, or turn on ceiling fixtures in a room with a wet ceiling.

• Source stopped or main valve closed
• Power off to wet rooms if water is near electrics
• Valuables and soft furnishings lifted clear
• Photos taken of every affected room
• Crew called — extraction booked, not “sometime this week”