Emergency Response · May 2026
What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Basement Flood
A step-by-step emergency response guide. The decisions you make in the first hour determine how much you'll spend on the next two weeks.
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Step 1: Do not enter until the power is off
Water conducts electricity. Before entering a flooded basement:
• Turn off the main electrical breaker to the basement (or the entire house if you're unsure which breaker controls basement circuits).
• Do not touch electrical equipment, outlets, or switches if water is present.
• If water is high (above outlets), call us immediately — do not attempt to turn off power.
Step 2: Stop the water source
Identify where the water is coming from:
• If it's from a burst pipe, locate the main water shutoff valve and turn it off immediately.
• If it's from an appliance (washing machine, water heater), try to unplug or shut off that specific appliance.
• If it's from flooding outside (heavy rain, sewer backup, river water), move to higher ground and call us. You cannot stop external flooding.
Step 3: Document everything before moving anything
Take photos and videos for insurance purposes:
• Photograph the standing water and overall scene.
• Document each damaged item and area.
• Film the water level, stains, and any structural damage.
• List everything in the basement — furniture, boxes, equipment — before you move or discard items.
Keep these photos. Your insurance company will need them for your claim.
Step 4: Call your insurance company and a restoration company — simultaneously
• Call your insurance company to report the loss and ask about coverage details.
• Call us immediately for 24 hour basement flooding emergency response in Brantford. Do not wait.
• Most insurance companies will approve emergency restoration before the full claim is processed. Start extraction now; paperwork catches up later.
Step 5: Move valuables to dry ground
Time is critical. Prioritize:
• Electronics: Computers, tablets, smartphones — water-damaged if wet.
• Documents: Photo albums, financial records, legal documents — move these to a dry room immediately.
• Heirlooms: Irreplaceable items — save them first.
• Furniture: If possible, elevate furniture on blocks to keep wood from absorbing water.
Step 6: Ventilate — but do not just run fans
• Do not turn on ceiling fans or window fans — this can spread moisture and mold spores throughout the house.
• Open basement windows if weather permits and the basement is not actively flooding.
• Do not open upper-level windows if it's raining — you'll let rain into other areas.
• Industrial drying equipment (our equipment) is designed to dry quickly. Consumer fans are ineffective and potentially harmful.
The 48-hour rule
If your basement is not extracted and dried within 48 hours, mold will begin growing. This is why fast professional response is critical. Our goal is to extract water and deploy drying equipment within your first 60 minutes of calling.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Water removal requires industrial pumps and equipment. We have the tools and expertise. Focus on safety and documentation.
Yes. Most homeowners insurance policies cover emergency extraction and professional drying as part of water damage claims.
Immediately. Do not wait. Every hour counts for preventing mold and secondary damage.
During the active drying phase, you may experience noise and humidity throughout the house. Many families stay with relatives or hotels for 3–7 days during major drying operations.
Call a 24/7 water damage restoration company and your insurance company — in that order, and ideally at the same time. The restoration crew stops the damage from spreading (the priority), while your insurer opens the claim. In Brantford and Brant County, our live dispatcher answers around the clock and a crew is on the road within 60 minutes: (416) 525-4246.
It depends on how much water entered, how far it spread, the water category (clean, grey, or sewage), and how much material has to be removed and rebuilt. A small, clean-water extraction and dry-out is at the low end; a deep flood with contaminated water and structural rebuilding is far more. Most losses from a sudden, covered source are claimable through insurance — see our Ontario restoration cost guide for ranges.
It depends on the source of the water. Sudden, accidental events like a burst pipe or a failed appliance are usually covered by a standard policy. Sewer backup is covered only with a sewer backup endorsement, and overland flooding (river or surface water) needs overland water protection. Gradual seepage is typically excluded. Our Ontario claim guide walks through documenting it properly.
If a basement floods once, the underlying cause — sewer surcharge, groundwater, or a failed sump pump — is usually still there. The right fix depends on the source: a backwater valve for sewer backup (often eligible for the City of Brantford rebate), a sump pump with battery backup for groundwater, or drainage work for foundation seepage. Our basement waterproofing page and the neighbourhood flooding guide explain which applies to your area.
Read next
How to File a Water Damage Insurance Claim in Ontario
What's covered, what isn't, and how to document the damage for your claim.
How to Prevent Basement Flooding in Brantford
Six concrete steps, plus the City of Brantford backwater valve subsidy.
Water Damage Restoration Costs
What cleanup and drying actually cost in Ontario.