Water Damage Restoration Process: Steps After a Flood

The water damage restoration process is the sequence of steps that takes a home from standing water back to a dry, clean, repaired space: make the property safe, document the damage, identify the type of water, remove it, dry the structure, throw out what cannot be saved, clean and disinfect, check for mold, and then repair. The order matters. Skipping one, such as repairing before the building is dry, is how a cleanup turns into a mold problem.

Key Takeaways

Safety first. The CDC says never to turn power on or off, or use an electric tool or appliance, while standing in water, and not to reenter a damaged home until a building inspector has examined it.
Before you clean anything, the EPA says to contact your insurance company and take pictures of the home and your belongings.
The National Weather Service notes that floodwaters often become contaminated with sewage or chemicals.
Dry quickly. The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, and to throw away anything wet with floodwater that cannot be cleaned and dried in that time.
Do not use fans if mold has already started to grow, because the EPA says the fans may spread it.

What Is the Water Damage Restoration Process?

Restoration companies follow the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard, which the IICRC describes as setting out the procedures to be followed and the precautions to be taken in water damage restoration for residential, commercial and institutional buildings.

In practice, for a homeowner, that becomes the nine steps below. FEMA sums up the physical work in five words: air out, move out, tear out, clean out and dry out.

Make the property safe
Document the damage and call your insurer
Identify the source and category of the water
Remove standing water
Dry and dehumidify
Remove what cannot be saved
Clean and disinfect
Check for mold
Repair and restore

The Water Damage Restoration Protocol Behind the Steps

The S500 is a procedural standard, not a checklist of fixed stages, and it notes one point homeowners often miss: fixing the underlying cause of the water intrusion is the responsibility of the property owner, not the restorer. A restorer can dry and rebuild a room, but a leaking pipe, a failed sump pump or poor drainage still has to be fixed, or the damage comes back.

Step 1: Is It Safe to Go Back Into a Flooded Home?

Not until the hazards are dealt with. The National Weather Service says not to enter a flood damaged home or building until authorities give the all clear, and to make sure the electrical system has been turned off. It warns that water can cause floors to collapse and ceilings to fall.

Electricity. The CDC says never to turn power on or off yourself, or use an electric tool or appliance, while standing in water, and to have an electrician check the electrical system before the power goes back on.
Gas. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, the CDC says to turn off the main gas valve, open all windows and leave the house immediately.
Structure. If the home is damaged, the CDC says not to reenter until a building inspector has examined it for safety. The EPA adds to look for sagging ceilings or floors and watch for wet, slippery floors.
Carbon monoxide. The CDC says never to use a generator, pressure washer or any gasoline-powered engine inside the home, or less than 20 feet from any window, door or vent.

For protective gear, the EPA’s homeowner guide recommends an N-95 respirator at a minimum, goggles and protective gloves. FEMA adds long pants and sturdy shoes, and the CDC recommends rubber boots when you operate equipment in wet areas. The EPA also says children should not take part in disaster cleanup.

Step 2: Document the Damage and Call Your Insurer

The EPA’s guide says to contact your insurance company and take pictures of the home and your belongings before you start cleanup. FEMA’s advice is to file insurance claims early, take photos or videos of every damaged item before cleanup, and keep all receipts related to the cleanup for insurance and other assistance programs. Do this before anything goes to the curb. Our guide to filing a water damage insurance claim covers what adjusters look for.

Step 3: What Kind of Water Are You Dealing With?

The IICRC S500 sorts water into three categories, and the category decides how the rest of the job is done:

Category 1 originates from a sanitary water source, such as a supply line, and does not pose substantial risk from skin contact, ingestion or inhalation.
Category 2 contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness.
Category 3 is grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents.

The standard also notes that time and temperature can change the category, so clean water that has sat for days is no longer treated as clean. Floodwater from outside belongs in the contaminated group: the EPA says flood water may have carried sewage or chemicals into the home.

The do-it-yourself steps in this guide are for a small amount of water you know is clean, on intact hard surfaces, with no electrical risk and no water inside walls or under floors. If the water came from outside, from a drain or toilet, or from an unknown source, the EPA says to call in a professional who has experience cleaning buildings damaged by contaminated water. Our sewage cleanup page explains how contaminated water is handled.

Step 4: How Do You Remove Standing Water?

The EPA’s homeowner guide says to remove standing water and wet materials, and to use a wet vacuum to remove water from floors, carpets and hard surfaces. Deeper water needs a pump, with any gasoline-powered pump or generator kept outside. For flooded basements there is an extra precaution about pumping too fast, covered in our basement water removal guide. For the equipment professionals use, see our guide to water extraction equipment.

Step 5: How Do You Dry Out a House After Water Damage?

Drying is the step that prevents mold, and the EPA calls drying your home and removing water-damaged items your most important step for preventing mold damage. Its homeowner guide says to dry your home and everything in it as quickly as you can, within 24 to 48 hours if you can, and gives these steps:

Open all doors and windows while you work, and leave as many open as is safe when you leave.
Open inside doors, especially closets and interior rooms, and open kitchen cabinets and vanity doors. Remove drawers, wipe them clean and stack them to dry.
When electricity is safe to use, use fans and dehumidifiers to remove moisture.
Do not use fans if mold has already started to grow, because the fans may spread the mold.

The CDC adds that fans should be placed at a window or door to blow air outward rather than inward. If the house has been closed up, the CDC says to let it air out for at least 30 minutes before you stay inside. Once the space is dry, the EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent.

Step 6: What Should You Throw Away After a Flood?

The EPA says to throw away items that cannot be cleaned and dried, including anything that was wet with flood water and cannot be cleaned and dried completely within 24 to 48 hours. It also notes that absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy, because mold can be difficult or impossible to remove from them completely. The CDC says to throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water, and its rule for anything uncertain is: when in doubt, throw it out.

For items you want to save, FEMA suggests air drying heirlooms indoors and gently separating damp items. If something will not dry within two days, FEMA says to wrap it in freezer paper and freeze it to buy time.

Step 7: How Do You Clean and Disinfect After Water Damage?

For surfaces that can be saved, the EPA’s guide says to clean with water and a detergent and dry right away. FEMA adds to wash your hands after handling anything that could have touched floodwater or sewage.

If you choose to use bleach on hard surfaces, follow the CDC’s sequence: clean the surface with soap and warm, clean water; rinse with clean water; sanitize with 1 cup of bleach to 5 gallons of water; then allow it to air dry. The CDC specifies regular, unscented household bleach with a sodium hypochlorite concentration between 5 and 9 percent. Open windows and doors, wear non-porous boots, gloves and eye protection, and never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.

Step 8: How Can You Tell if Mold Is Growing After Water Damage?

The EPA’s guide says that if your home flooded and you could not dry it, including furniture and other items, within 24 to 48 hours, you should assume you have mold growth. Mold is not always visible: the EPA notes it may be hidden under or behind carpet, cushions or walls, and that you may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy but you cannot see the source.

The EPA’s brief guide says a moldy area under about 10 square feet can, in most cases, be handled yourself, but that after a lot of water damage or mold covering more than 10 square feet you should consult its professional remediation guidance. Painting or caulking over mold will not stop it from growing. Our guide to mold after water damage covers the next steps, and our mold inspection service can confirm whether it is present.

Step 9: Repair and Restore

Repairs come last, once the structure is dry and clean. This is also the point to fix whatever let the water in, which the S500 places on the property owner. If a hidden pipe caused the damage, our leak detection service can find it, and our rebuild and reconstruction team handles drywall, flooring and finish work. A ceiling stain is a common example, covered in our guide to ceiling water damage repair.

When Should You Call 24/7 Water Damage Restoration?

Call a 24 hour water damage restoration company when the water is contaminated or its source is unknown, when it has soaked into walls, insulation or under flooring, when there is more than you can remove and dry within the EPA’s 24 to 48 hour window, or when there is any doubt about electrical or structural safety. The EPA suggests hiring a professional affiliated with or certified by an organization such as the IICRC. For an overflow, see our toilet overflow cleanup guide. Our water damage restoration page describes how we handle extraction, drying and repairs.

How Much Does Water Damage Restoration Cost?

Fixr, a home cost guide updated in January 2025, puts water damage restoration at $1,200 to $5,000, with a national average of $3,000. Its water extraction figures by water category are $3.75 to $4.25 per square foot for clean water, $4.10 to $6.50 for gray water and $7 to $7.50 for black water. These are national figures, not a quote.

Does Insurance Cover Flood and Water Damage?

It depends on the source, and only your insurer can say whether a specific loss is covered. The Insurance Information Institute lists accidental discharge or overflow of water from within a plumbing, heating or air conditioning system, or from a household appliance, among the perils covered by homeowners policies. It also says flood damage is excluded under standard homeowners and renters policies, and that sewer backups are not covered under a typical homeowners policy unless you add that coverage as a separate product or endorsement.

The NAIC says flood insurance is a separate coverage available through the National Flood Insurance Program or sometimes a private insurer, and that NFIP and some private policies have a 30-day waiting period unless the policy is bought with a newly purchased home. Our insurance claims process page explains how we work with your adjuster.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to dry out a house after a flood?

It depends on how much water there was, what it soaked into and the weather. The target is the EPA’s: dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. Treat that as a goal for prompt action, not a promise.

What should you not do after a flood?

Do not enter until authorities give the all clear, do not touch electrical switches or tools while standing in water, and do not run a generator or gasoline engine indoors. Do not use fans if mold has started to grow, do not mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner, and do not paint or caulk over mold.

Can I stay in my home during water damage restoration?

The EPA says to wait to reenter until professionals tell you it is safe, with no structural, electrical or other hazards, and to make sure mold cleanup is complete before you reoccupy the home. Whether you can stay during the work depends on how much of the home is affected and the category of water.

Getting Help With Water Damage Restoration in Denver

Prime Restore Solutions LLC is an IICRC Certified Firm that handles water damage restoration, from extraction and drying to repairs, across the Denver metro area, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your home has taken on water and you are not sure where to start, call (720) 790-6056 or visit our Denver damage restoration page.

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