Stop the source
Close the main water valve, or the valve for the leaking fixture or appliance.
Water damage repair and restoration
Water spreading through floors, walls or ceilings? Water damage repair starts with restoration: removing standing water and drying the building before mold and rot set in. Damaged drywall, flooring and ceilings are repaired after that. Stop the source, stay clear of wet electrical items, then call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent restoration company does the work.
Am I in the right place?Yes if water from a leak, burst pipe, appliance, roof or storm has soaked floors, carpet, walls, ceilings or contents.
Is this urgent?Yes. Materials left wet for more than a day or two can grow mold, and water spreads under flooring and inside walls.
What do I do next?Stop the water source if you can, then call 833-877-1717 with the ZIP code and how much is wet.
If the water is still coming in, start with the source: burst pipe, roof leak or appliance leak. Sewage or flood water is a different, more hazardous category: see sewage backup or flood cleanup.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 14, 2026 · Review standards
What to do before help arrives
Cut power to wet areas
If the panel is dry and safe to reach, switch off circuits for the wet rooms. Never stand in water to do it.
Save what you can
Lift furniture onto blocks or foil, move rugs, electronics and documents, and photograph everything before it is moved or thrown out.
Not all water is the same
Clean water from a supply line is the least hazardous. Water from a dishwasher, washer or toilet overflow can carry contaminants. Sewage and outside flood water are treated as contaminated: avoid contact, keep children and pets away, and leave the cleanup to professionals.
What restoration covers
Water extraction
Pumping and vacuuming standing water from floors, carpet and basements. See water extraction.
Structural drying
Fans, dehumidifiers and moisture readings until walls and subfloors are actually dry. See structural drying.
Removing what cannot be saved
Soaked drywall, insulation, pad and some flooring may need to come out so the structure can dry.
Ceilings and upper floors
Water from above can collect in a ceiling. See ceiling water damage.
Restoration does not fix the leak
Restoration company
Removes water, dries and monitors moisture, and documents the loss. Rebuilding drywall or flooring may be a later, separate step.
Plumber or roofer
Fixes whatever let the water in. If the source is still active, say so on the call so both needs can be routed.
From wet to repaired: how water damage repair usually goes
- Inspection and moisture mapping. The provider finds where the water went, including inside walls and under flooring, with moisture meters and sometimes thermal cameras.
- Water removal. Standing water is pumped and extracted from floors, carpet and basements.
- Drying. Air movers and dehumidifiers run until readings show materials are actually dry. Drying often takes several days. U.S. EPA guidance is to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold.
- Removal of what cannot be saved. Soaked insulation, carpet pad, swollen particleboard and drywall that stayed wet too long are cut out. Anything touched by sewage or flood water is usually removed.
- Repair and rebuild. Drywall, ceilings, baseboards, flooring, cabinets and paint are replaced or repaired. Some restoration companies rebuild; others hand off to a contractor.
More on each step: water extraction, structural drying, water-damaged drywall repair and ceiling water damage. Fixing the source is a separate job: a burst pipe, slab leak, roof leak or appliance leak needs a plumber, roofer or appliance technician.
Signs of hidden water damage
Walls and ceilings
Stains, bubbling or peeling paint, soft or sagging drywall, and a ceiling that feels damp or bulges.
Floors
Cupping or buckling hardwood, lifting vinyl, loose tiles, or carpet that stays damp or smells.
Smell and air
A musty odor that does not go away, or rising humidity in one room, can mean water is trapped inside walls or under floors.
Water bills and meters
A water bill that jumps, or a meter that moves when nothing is running, points to a hidden leak.
What affects the cost of water damage repair
- How much area is wet, and how many rooms and floors
- The water category: clean supply-line water costs less to handle than appliance overflow, sewage or flood water
- How long materials stayed wet and whether mold has started
- Which materials are affected: carpet and pad, hardwood, drywall, insulation, cabinets
- Whether rebuilding is included or handled by a separate contractor
- Access: basements, crawl spaces, attics and multi-story buildings take longer
RepairNowUSA does not set prices. The independent provider gives the estimate. Ask for a written scope that separates drying, removal and rebuilding.
Water damage and insurance
Standard homeowners policies often cover sudden, accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe, but often exclude gradual leaks and outside flooding. Flood damage generally needs a separate flood policy, such as one from the National Flood Insurance Program. Your policy decides, so call your insurer or agent early, photograph everything before it is moved, keep damaged items until the adjuster sees them, and save every receipt.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code, home or business
- What caused the water and whether it has stopped
- Clean water, appliance water, sewage or flood water
- Rooms, floors and roughly how large an area is wet
- How long it has been wet
- Any water near electrical equipment
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles water damage restoration in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Water damage questions
How soon does water damage need to be dried?
Quickly. U.S. EPA guidance is to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold. The sooner drying starts, the more can usually be saved.
What is the difference between water damage restoration and water damage repair?
Restoration removes the water and dries the building so damage stops spreading. Repair is the rebuilding afterward: drywall, ceilings, flooring and finishes. Many jobs need both, sometimes from different companies.
How much does water damage repair cost?
It depends on how large the wet area is, the type of water, how long it sat and what has to be replaced. The independent provider gives the estimate after an inspection. RepairNowUSA does not set prices.
How long does water damage repair take?
Drying often takes several days and is confirmed with moisture readings. Rebuilding can take longer, depending on the materials and permits.
Can I call for water damage help at night?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Can I dry it myself with fans?
For a small spill on a hard floor, maybe. Water that has soaked carpet pad, drywall or subfloor usually needs professional extraction, dehumidifiers and moisture readings to confirm it is dry inside.
Will my carpet and drywall have to be replaced?
It depends on the water source, how long it sat, and the materials. Clean-water damage caught early is often dried in place. Sewage-contaminated porous materials are usually removed.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
Often for sudden, accidental damage such as a burst pipe, but usually not gradual leaks or outside flooding, which generally needs a separate flood policy. RepairNowUSA cannot answer for your policy. Photograph the damage, keep receipts, and contact your insurer or agent early.
Does RepairNowUSA do the restoration?
No. RepairNowUSA connects you with an independent restoration provider, who sets the scope, schedule and price.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.