Flood Damage: Do's and Don'ts

By the One Prime Solutions team — IICRC Certified Firm #55091, serving Greater Sydney & Regional NSW

Key takeaways

✓ Don't reconnect electricity, gas or water yourself after a flood — have services inspected by a licensed electrician first (NSW SES).
✓ Do treat all floodwater as contaminated: it can carry sewage and chemicals that cause skin and stomach infections (NSW Health).
✓ Do photograph and video everything before you clean up, keep samples of damaged materials, and don't discard salvageable items without your insurer's approval.
✓ Do start drying as quickly as possible — mould can begin growing in water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours (US EPA).
✓ Don't tackle standing water and sanitising alone: professional restoration removes the water, dries the structure properly and makes the home safe again.

Why the first steps after flood damage matter

Flood damage can leave your home devastated and you in a spin about what to do first. Whether the water came from a natural disaster or an escape of water inside the house — a burst pipe, a failed hose, an overflowing fixture — the same rules apply: what you do (and don't do) in the first hours decides how much of your home and contents can be saved, and how smoothly your insurance claim runs.

Calling a professional water damage restoration company is always the best move for anything beyond a minor spill. But there's plenty a homeowner can safely do — and a few things you definitely shouldn't.

The do's

✓ Do put safety first. Don't enter a badly flooded or structurally damaged home until it's safe, and never touch electrical equipment while standing in water or with wet hands.
✓ Do treat the water as contaminated. Floodwater and escaped greywater can carry sewage and chemicals, so wear gloves, covered shoes and a mask if you must handle wet materials.
✓ Do document everything before you clean. Photograph and video the damage, make an itemised list, and keep samples of damaged carpet and fabrics for your insurance assessor.
✓ Do stop the source if you safely can. For internal leaks and bursts, shut off the water at the main valve to stop the damage spreading.
✓ Do start drying fast. Open windows where weather allows and get air moving — mould can start growing in damp materials within 24 to 48 hours.
✓ Do call your insurer early. Lodge the claim as soon as possible and follow their guidance on repairs and disposal.

The don'ts

✓ Don't reconnect power, gas or water yourself. Affected services and appliances should be inspected by a licensed electrician or gas fitter before use.
✓ Don't wade through standing water — it can hide debris, contamination and electrical hazards.
✓ Don't throw out items that could be salvaged or repaired without your insurer's approval — you may compromise your claim.
✓ Don't assume "dry on the surface" means dry. Water wicks into wall cavities, insulation and subfloors, where trapped moisture quietly feeds mould.
✓ Don't handle sewage-contaminated water yourself. Contact with it can cause skin and stomach infections — that's a job for professionals with proper protective equipment.

Why proper clean-up is about more than removing water

Getting the standing water out is only the start. The structure and contents need to be thoroughly dried to stop mould taking hold, and the affected areas properly cleaned and sanitised before the home is safe to live in again. Professional restorers work to the industry water damage standard, using extraction equipment, dehumidifiers and moisture meters to confirm the home is genuinely dry — not just dry to the touch. To understand how quickly the mould clock runs, read our guide on how fast mould grows after water damage, or see our checklist for the first 24 hours after a flood.

Need a hand in Sydney or Regional NSW?

One Prime Solutions responds 24/7 across Greater Sydney & Regional NSW with complete water damage restoration — extraction, structural drying, sanitising and mould prevention. Call 1300 774 631 and we'll help you get your home back to normal.

Frequently asked questions

What's the first thing to do after flood damage?

Make sure the property is safe before anything else. Stay out of standing water, don't touch wet electrical equipment, and have power, gas and water inspected by licensed professionals before reconnecting them. Once it's safe, photograph everything for your insurer before you start cleaning.

Should I throw out water-damaged carpet and furniture straight away?

Not before talking to your insurer. The Insurance Council of Australia advises photographing damage, keeping samples of materials and fabrics for the assessor, and not discarding items that could be salvaged or repaired without your insurer's approval.

How quickly does mould start after a flood?

Very quickly — the US EPA advises drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mould growth. That's why fast water extraction and proper structural drying matter more than almost anything else after a flood.

Can I clean up floodwater myself?

Small clean-water spills, yes. But floodwater and sewage-affected water are contaminated and can cause skin and stomach infections, and moisture trapped in walls and subfloors needs professional drying equipment to remove. For anything more than a minor spill, call a professional restoration company.

Sources & further reading

This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. Last reviewed 15 October 2018 by the One Prime Solutions team.