What to Do After Water Damage in Your Home — Douglasville GA Emergency Guide

Locate your main water shutoff valve — typically in the basement, utility room, or near the water meter — and turn it off completely. If the source is a roof leak or storm flooding (not a plumbing failure), you cannot shut it off, so move to Step 2 immediately.

Do not enter flooded rooms if electrical outlets, appliances, or the breaker panel are in the affected area. Turn off power to the affected zone at the breaker box if you can do so without entering standing water. If you cannot safely cut power, stay out and call Estate Solutions at (404) 913-3030 immediately.

Before moving anything or beginning cleanup, photograph and video every affected room — floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, appliances, and visible damage. Take close-up photos of the water source if visible. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim and must be done before any cleanup begins.

Call Estate Solutions at (404) 913-3030 before calling your insurance company. Professional extraction equipment removes water far faster than consumer tools, and faster extraction means less structural damage and lower mold risk. Estate Solutions responds in Douglasville within 60–90 minutes, 24/7. Early documentation by a restoration professional protects your insurance claim.

If the water is clean (Category 1 — from a supply line) and you have a wet/dry vacuum or mop, you can begin removing surface water while waiting for the restoration crew. Do NOT attempt to remove gray water (dishwasher, washing machine overflow) or black water (sewage) without professional protective equipment — contamination risk is serious.

Move furniture, rugs, electronics, clothing, and valuables away from wet areas if safe to do so. Place aluminum foil or plastic bags under wooden furniture legs to prevent staining. Do not attempt to move heavy saturated items — waterlogged floors, walls, and furniture are heavier and potentially unsafe. Leave structural assessment to the professionals.

Turn off your HVAC system if it services the affected area. Running HVAC spreads moisture, mold spores, and contaminants (in sewage or flood events) throughout the home. It also adds humidity when you need conditions as dry as possible. Keep the system off until the restoration crew completes moisture mapping and clears the area.

Contact your insurance carrier to report the loss and request an adjuster inspection. Estate Solutions can assist with the initial claim report and will meet your adjuster on-site to present our Xactimate documentation. Filing promptly is important — most policies require notification within a reasonable time after a loss is discovered.

After professional water extraction, industrial dehumidifiers and air movers must run continuously until structural moisture levels return to normal (below 16% for wood, below 0.5% for concrete). Estate Solutions monitors daily moisture readings and adjusts equipment. Do not remove drying equipment early — hidden moisture causes mold even when surfaces appear dry.

Do not re-drywall, re-floor, or close walls until a certified moisture reading confirms all structural materials are dry and mold-free. Estate Solutions provides written clearance with moisture documentation before any reconstruction begins. Rebuilding over wet materials traps moisture, guarantees mold growth, and may void your insurance coverage.