The actions you take in the first hours after water enters a property can reduce secondary damage and make professional restoration more effective.
This guide covers safe immediate steps. It is not a substitute for professional assessment when water is still entering, sewage is present, or large areas are affected.
If the situation is urgent: Call 1800 739 867.
Immediate safe actions
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Safety first
Stay out of standing water if there is any chance of electrical hazard. Switch off power at the board only if it is safe to reach and you know how. -
Stop the source if safe
Turn off the isolation valve or main water supply if a pipe has burst and you can do so without risk. -
Limit spread
Close doors to unaffected rooms. Avoid walking wet materials through dry areas. -
Protect contents if practical
Move undamaged items out of the wet zone if it is safe. Do not risk injury. -
Photograph what you can see
Source, affected rooms, standing water, and any contents. These help triage and later documentation. -
Avoid common mistakes
- Do not use household heaters or unguided fans on large wet areas.
- Do not lift carpet yourself if the water category is unknown.
- Do not assume the problem is only what you can see on the surface.
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Call for professional help
Especially if water is still entering, sewage is involved, or materials have been wet for more than a few hours.
Why hidden moisture matters even in the first hours
Water travels into underlay, wall cavities, skirtings and joinery. What looks like a small surface wet area can already be larger. Professional moisture mapping finds what visual inspection misses.
Full explanation: /water-damage/
When to call immediately
- Water is still actively entering
- Sewage or contaminated water is present
- Electrical hazards or structural concerns
- Large areas of carpet, walls or ceilings are wet
- The property is a managed or multi-unit building and you need coordinated response
Next step
Call 1800 739 867 for 24/7 guidance and response.
Or send details & photos.
Further reading: Water Damage process, Wet Carpet guidance, Sewage clean-up.