Start with safety
Water and electricity do not mix. If water is near outlets, a breaker panel, light fixtures or appliances that are plugged in, stay out of the area and contact your electric utility or emergency services. Do not wade into water to reach switches.
If anyone is injured, if you smell gas or if you see sparks, leave the home and call 911 or your local emergency number from outside.
- Do not walk or drive through moving water.
- Do not use electrical equipment that is standing in water.
- Wear sturdy shoes and gloves if you must enter a wet area.
- Keep children and pets out of the affected rooms.
Stop the water if you can do so safely
If the water is coming from a pipe, appliance or fixture inside your home, turn off its local shutoff valve or the main water supply if you can reach it safely. The main shutoff is commonly located near the water meter or where the water line enters the house.
If the source is outside, such as rain or runoff entering through a garage or low doorway, you generally cannot stop it. Focus on keeping people safe and moving valuables out of the water path where it is safe to do so.
Document everything before you clean
Your insurer will want to see the damage, so photograph and video everything before you move or throw anything away. Include wide shots of each room, close-ups of damaged materials and the water line on walls. Record the date and time, and note the likely source.
Make a list of damaged belongings with approximate ages and values, and keep receipts for emergency expenses such as pumping equipment or temporary lodging.
Contact your insurer promptly
Call your insurance company as soon as it is practical. Ask what your policy covers, whether flood or sewer backup protection applies, and how to start a claim. Our guide on water damage insurance in Nevada explains the common coverage questions in more detail.
Keep a written record of every call, including the name of the person you spoke with and the claim number.
Get drying started
Standing water should be removed as soon as practical, and wet materials need to dry before mold and structural damage become more likely. Towels and fans rarely dry wall cavities, subfloors or insulation, which is why many homeowners choose a professional assessment.
We connect Clark County property owners with water damage experts. A water damage expert will measure moisture, explain the scope of the work and give you a written estimate you can compare with others.
- Ask whether the provider will measure moisture in walls and floors, not just the visible surface.
- Ask for the assessment and scope in writing before work starts.
- Confirm who the work is billed to, and whether it will be coordinated with your insurer.
Common mistakes to avoid
Several common decisions can make a flooded home harder to recover. Avoid these where you can.
- Throwing away materials before photographing them.
- Running a wet-vac in an area where electrical outlets are submerged.
- Assuming a floor is dry because the surface feels dry.
- Signing repair or assignment documents you have not read in full.