Water Damage in Your House: What to Do, Causes, Cleanup & Repair
Water inside a home can come from a leaking pipe, overflowing fixture, roof leak, appliance, groundwater, storm, sewage backup, or many other sources. What you should do next depends on where the water came from, how much is present, what materials are wet, and whether the area is safe.
Find the water damage you're dealing with
Identifying the likely source is one of the first steps toward understanding the damage. Choose the situation that most closely matches what you're seeing in your home.
Water in Basement
Basement flooding and moisture can result from groundwater, storms, drainage problems, plumbing failures, or sump issues.
Read the basement water guide →Water Coming Through Ceiling
A ceiling leak may originate from plumbing, a bathroom, an appliance, HVAC equipment, or the roof above.
Read the ceiling water guide →Burst or Frozen Pipe
A broken pipe can release significant amounts of water quickly and may affect walls, flooring, ceilings, and insulation.
Read the burst pipe guide →Sewage Backup
Sewage and wastewater can involve biological contaminants and require substantially different cleanup precautions.
Read the sewage backup guide →Toilet Overflow
The appropriate response depends in part on why the toilet overflowed and whether the released water is contaminated.
Read the toilet overflow guide →Water Heater Leaking
Water may come from a connection, valve, drain, condensation, or failure of the water heater tank itself.
Read the water heater guide →Roof Leak Water Damage
Rainwater can move through roofing, attic spaces, insulation, framing, ceilings, and walls before becoming visible indoors.
Read the roof leak guide →Mold After Water Damage
Materials that remain damp can create conditions that support microbial growth, making moisture control and drying important.
Read the mold & moisture guide →Not Sure Where It Came From?
If you have just discovered water and do not yet know the source, begin with the immediate-response guide.
See what to do now →What should you do after finding water damage?
The first priority is not the flooring, drywall, furniture, or insurance claim. It is determining whether the area is safe. Water can create or accompany electrical hazards, structural problems, contamination, slippery surfaces, and other risks.
Once immediate hazards have been considered, homeowners can begin working through the source of the water, the extent of the damage, documentation, drying, cleanup, and repair.
- Keep people away from areas that appear unsafe.
- Stop the water source when it can be done safely.
- Photograph or record visible damage before major cleanup.
- Determine where the water originated.
- Consider whether the water may be contaminated.
- Identify which building materials and belongings are wet.
- Begin addressing excess water and moisture promptly.
- Contact appropriate professionals when the situation exceeds what can safely be handled.
If you have only just discovered the problem, start with our water emergency guide before moving into cleanup and repair.
Why does the source of the water matter?
A small supply-line leak is not the same situation as storm flooding or a sewage backup. The source can affect potential contamination, the appropriate cleanup approach, the materials that may need attention, and insurance considerations.
Finding and controlling the source also helps prevent additional water from entering the structure while drying and cleanup are underway.
Why does drying matter?
Water can move beyond the area where it is immediately visible. Depending on the situation, moisture may reach drywall, flooring, subflooring, insulation, cabinets, framing, and other materials. Some surfaces can appear dry even while moisture remains elsewhere.
Learn more in our guides to water damage cleanup and repair and how long water damage can take to dry .
Source, extent, and contamination
These three factors can help homeowners understand why one water problem may be relatively limited while another requires a much more involved response.
Where did the water come from?
Consider plumbing, appliances, roofing, groundwater, weather, drains, toilets, sewage systems, HVAC equipment, and other potential sources.
How much is affected?
A small localized leak differs from water that has moved across multiple rooms or into walls, ceilings, flooring, insulation, or lower levels.
Could it be contaminated?
Water associated with sewage, flooding, wastewater, or uncertain sources can present different concerns than water from a known clean supply source.
What happens after the water is stopped?
Once the source is controlled, most homeowners begin thinking about cleanup, repair costs, insurance, and whether they need professional assistance.
How is water damage cleaned up?
Learn about removing water, drying materials, cleaning, evaluating damaged materials, and repairs.
CostsHow much can water damage cost?
The source, amount of water, affected materials, contamination, drying requirements, and repairs can all affect cost.
InsuranceDoes homeowners insurance cover water damage?
Coverage can depend on the cause and circumstances of the loss as well as the terms, exclusions, and limits of the policy.
When should you consider professional water damage help?
Large amounts of water, contaminated water, hidden moisture, affected electrical systems, structural concerns, extensive building-material damage, or situations that cannot be safely controlled may require qualified professional assistance.