While you're waiting for a roofer, the water coming through the ceiling is still doing damage to what's underneath. A few minutes spent protecting your floors and furniture can save a lot of money later. Here is how to do it in a sensible order.
Move the expensive and hard-to-dry items first
Start with electronics, then rugs, upholstered furniture, and anything made of paper, such as books, documents, and photographs. These are the items most easily ruined and hardest to dry. Solid wood furniture and hard plastic can usually wait and be wiped down afterward.
If an item is too heavy to move, pull it away from the drip and cover it with plastic sheeting. Don't wrap it tightly, because trapped moisture can cause damage of its own. Leave some room for air.
Protect hardwood floors
Water on a hardwood floor can seep between boards and cause cupping, which is when the edges rise and the boards curl. The longer it stays, the worse it gets. Wipe up standing water quickly, and don't leave wet towels or rugs sitting on the floor. Lift any rug or mat that has gotten wet, because trapped moisture underneath does more harm than the water you can see.
Place the bucket on a towel or a plastic tray so splashes don't reach the floor. If the leak is steady, lay plastic sheeting over the floor under the drip and fold the edges up to form a tray.
Protect carpet
Carpet and the pad underneath soak up water and hold it. If the area is small, put a bucket under the drip and a towel around it. If the carpet is already wet, press towels into it to soak up as much as you can, then lift a corner if it's easy to do. A wet carpet pad that stays damp for more than a day or two can grow mold, and it is often cheaper to replace the pad than to try to save it.
Set a fan to blow across the area once the dripping has stopped.
Raise furniture off the floor
If water is spreading on the floor, put small blocks of wood or aluminum foil under furniture legs. This keeps the legs from absorbing water and keeps the finish from staining the floor.
Use plastic where it helps
Plastic sheeting is useful for covering beds, sofas, and shelves, and for lining the floor under a drip. Use it as a shield from falling drops, not as a wrap that seals in moisture. Once the leak is under control, take it off so the area can breathe.
Be careful with electrical items
Don't plug in or turn on any electronics that have gotten wet. Unplug lamps and appliances in the room. If water has gotten into a ceiling fixture, shut off power to the room at the breaker and don't use the switch.
Don't use a household vacuum on water
A standard vacuum cleaner isn't made for wet cleanup and it can shock you. Use towels, mops, or a wet-dry vacuum rated for water.
Photograph before you clean
Take photos and video of the damage before you wipe up or throw anything away. If you file an insurance claim, a record of what was damaged and its condition helps. Keep any item you may need to document until the claim is settled.
Dry the room fully
Once the leak is stopped, dry the area thoroughly. Open windows if the weather allows, run fans and a dehumidifier, and keep checking the floors. The EPA recommends drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold, so don't leave a damp room closed up.
Fix the source
Protecting the floors keeps the damage from growing, but only a roof repair stops the leak. Call a roofer to inspect the roof and find where the water is entering. See our roof leak water damage repair guide for what to do after the leak stops.
Need the leak fixed?
If you have an active leak in Carol Stream, call (630) 866-1445 and tell us where the water is coming through. For emergency help, call the same number.
Carol Stream Roofing, 480 Aztec Dr, Carol Stream, IL 60188. (630) 866-1445
Carol Stream Leak & Restoration is a free referral service. We connect Carol Stream homeowners with independent local roofing contractors — no fees to you, ever. Call (630) 866-1445 for fast help with a roof leak.