Getting help
When to Call a Water Damage Restoration Company
Updated · Copperline editorial
You can usually handle
- A small spill of clean water on tile, sealed concrete or vinyl
- A leak caught immediately and wiped up
- Water that didn't reach walls or under flooring
Call a professional when
- Water soaked carpet and pad, or got under laminate or hardwood
- Drywall is wet or ceilings are stained or sagging
- Water came from a toilet, sewer line or outside floodwater
- The source ran for hours or went unnoticed
- You smell mustiness or see spots
What professionals add
Extraction equipment, commercial dehumidifiers and air movers, moisture meters to confirm the structure is actually dry, and documentation for insurance. Drying is measured, not guessed.
How Copperline helps
Tell us what happened and your ZIP code, and we'll connect you with an independent restoration company that serves your area. The service is free to you.
What happens on the first visit
The technician stops or confirms the source is stopped, classifies the water (clean, gray or contaminated), maps moisture, extracts standing water and sets drying equipment. You should get a written scope before work beyond emergency mitigation begins.
When to Call a Water Damage Restoration Company: follow-up questions
Can I wait until morning to call?
If the source is off and the water is limited to a hard floor, a few hours may not matter. If water has soaked carpet, drywall or cabinets, or it's sewage, call right away.
Should I call my insurer or the restoration company first?
Stop the water and start mitigation first; policies generally require you to prevent further damage. Notify your insurer the same day.
Every home differs; editorial standards.