Water Damage in Your Boerne Home: What to Do in the First 48 Hours (and What Can Wait)

Water in your house feels like an emergency because it is one. The decisions you make in the first two days decide whether you're repairing a few rooms or replacing half a house. Here's what to do, in order, from a local contractor who has torn out and rebuilt plenty of wet drywall in the Hill Country.

Make sure everyone is safe.

Don't walk into standing water if there's any chance the power is on. Water and electricity don't mix, and outlets near the floor may already be wet. If you can reach your breaker panel without stepping in water, shut off power to the affected area. If you can't, call your electric provider or an electrician.

If floodwater came in from outside, treat it as contaminated. Rising water carries sewage, chemicals, and debris. Wear rubber boots and gloves, and keep kids and pets out.If the ceiling is sagging from water above it, stay out from under it. Wet drywall ceilings can come down without warning.

Stop the water if you can.

If the source is a burst pipe, a failed water heater, or a broken supply line, shut off the main water valve. In most Boerne homes, it's near where the line enters the house, in the garage, or at the meter box near the street. Find yours today, before you need it.

If the source is rain or rising water, you can't stop it. Focus on safety and documentation until it recedes. Photograph everything before you touch it.

This is the step people skip, and it's the one insurance adjusters care about most. Before you move furniture, pull up rugs, or throw anything away:

• Take wide shots of every affected room, then close-ups of damage. • Video a slow walk-through with your phone, narrating what you see. • Photograph the water line on walls, cabinets, and furniture. • Photograph the source, such as the burst pipe, the roof leak, or the door where water came in. • Keep damaged items until your adjuster has seen them, or at least photographed them, unless they're a health hazard.

Call your insurance company and open a claim - don't schedule an adjuster until you call us first. The adjuster works for the insurance company - we work for you.

Call the number on your policy and get a claim number. Ask what they need from you and when an adjuster will come out. Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, so ask what they'll reimburse for emergency drying or temporary repairs. Keep every receipt.

Start drying within 24 to 48 hours.

Mold can begin growing on wet materials within a day or two. Drywall and insulation act like a sponge, pulling water up the wall well above the visible water line. A fan and an open window won't dry the inside of a wall. Professional drying uses industrial dehumidifiers, air movers, and moisture meters to find water you can't see.

We coordinate drying through a trusted local mitigation partner, so you only need to make one call.

What can wait.

Some decisions feel urgent but shouldn't be rushed:

• Choosing new finishes. Flooring, cabinets, and paint colors can wait until the house is dry and the claim is approved. • Signing a full rebuild contract. Get the damage assessed and documented first. Be wary of anyone pressuring you to sign on the spot. • Deciding what's salvageable. Solid wood furniture and some cabinets can be saved if dried properly. Wet carpet pad, insulation, and drywall that sat in floodwater usually can't.

What we do.

40 Acres Construction is a veteran-owned general contractor based in Boerne. After water damage, we:

• Inspect, measure, and photograph the damage so your claim has what it needs. • Provide a detailed repair estimate your adjuster can work from. • Rebuild what was damaged, including drywall, insulation, flooring, cabinets, trim, and paint. • Handle Boerne building permits and inspections.

We're local, we answer our phone, and we'll still be here after the storm trucks leave. Hablamos Español. Dealing with water damage now? Call (830) 400-4420 or request a free damage assessment.