(586) 209-4390
24/7 Emergency — Tap to Call
Services
Water Damage Help
Service Area
Company
13854 Lakeside Circle, Suite 558
Sterling Heights, MI 48313
24/7 Emergency Guide
Your home is flooding. Every minute counts. Follow this step-by-step checklist to protect your family, minimize damage, and get professional help on the way.
First 30 Minutes
These are the most critical actions to take within the first 30 minutes of discovering water damage in your home.
Check for electrical hazards before entering any flooded area. If water is near outlets, appliances, or your breaker box, do not step into it. Look for gas odors and structural damage such as sagging ceilings or buckled floors.
Locate and turn off your main water shutoff valve. In most Michigan homes, it is near the water meter in the basement or crawl space. For burst pipes, turn the valve clockwise to close. If you cannot find it, turn off the water at the street meter.
Our emergency team responds within 60 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We begin water extraction immediately to prevent mold growth and structural damage. The sooner you call, the more we can save.
If you can safely reach your breaker panel without stepping in water, switch off the circuits for all affected areas. If the panel is in a flooded area, call your electric utility company to disconnect power remotely.
Evacuate all household members and pets from the affected area. If water is rising quickly or you smell gas, leave the house entirely and call 911. Do not re-enter until a professional confirms it is safe.
30 to 60 Minutes
While you wait for our emergency team, take these steps to minimize damage and protect your insurance claim.
Use your phone to photograph and video every room, wall, floor, and item affected by water. Include wide shots and close-ups. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim and will help our team assess the damage scope.
Carefully relocate important documents, electronics, family photos, medications, and irreplaceable items to a dry room or the second floor. Prioritize items that are most difficult or impossible to replace.
Slide aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or foam blocks under the legs of wooden furniture to prevent staining on carpet or additional water absorption. This simple step can save hardwood floors and prevent permanent furniture damage.
If it is not raining and temperatures are above freezing, open windows and doors to increase air circulation. This helps slow mold growth, which can begin within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure.
Standard household vacuums are not designed for water and can cause electric shock. Only wet/dry shop vacuums are safe for small amounts of water. For any significant flooding, wait for professional water extraction equipment.
Critical Warnings
Avoid these common mistakes that can put your safety at risk, void your insurance coverage, or make the damage worse.
Don't use electrical appliances near standing water — electrocution risk is real and fatal.
Don't enter rooms with sagging ceilings — waterlogged drywall can collapse without warning.
Don't attempt mold removal yourself — disturbing mold releases spores that spread contamination.
Don't throw away damaged items before documenting them — your insurance company needs photographic proof.
Don't use bleach on mold — bleach only removes surface color, not the root structure, and can create toxic fumes.
Situation-Specific Guidance
Different emergencies require different responses. Find your situation below for targeted guidance.
Turn off the main water supply immediately.
Open faucets to drain remaining water from the pipes.
Apply a pipe clamp or rubber patch as a temporary fix.
Call Prime Restoration of Macomb for emergency water extraction and pipe repair.
Do not enter the basement if water is near any electrical outlet or panel.
Turn off electricity to the basement from your main panel if safely accessible.
Check your sump pump — it may be clogged, disconnected, or failed.
Call Prime Restoration of Macomb for professional basement water removal.
Check if the sump pump is plugged in and the circuit breaker has not tripped.
Inspect the float switch — it may be stuck or jammed by debris.
If the pump runs but does not remove water, the discharge line may be frozen or clogged.
Call Prime Restoration of Macomb for emergency pumping and sump pump service.
Do not touch or walk through sewage water — it contains dangerous bacteria and pathogens.
Keep children and pets away from the contaminated area completely.
Turn off HVAC systems to prevent sewage contaminants from spreading through ductwork.
Call Prime Restoration of Macomb immediately — sewage requires professional biohazard cleanup.
Stay inside until the storm passes. Do not go on the roof during active weather.
Use tarps or plastic sheeting to cover any openings where water is entering.
Move belongings away from the leak path to minimize damage.
Call Prime Restoration of Macomb for emergency board-up, tarping, and water extraction.
Protect Your Claim
Take these five steps to protect your insurance claim from the moment water damage occurs.
Report the damage as soon as possible — ideally the same day. Most policies require prompt notification. Have your policy number ready.
Write down your claim number, the adjuster's name, and the date and time of the call. You will need this for all future communications.
Take extensive photos, keep receipts for any emergency supplies or hotel stays, and maintain a written log of all conversations with your insurer.
Some documents may limit your coverage or waive your rights. If you are unsure about any paperwork, consult with Prime Restoration of Macomb — we review insurance documents daily.
Prime Restoration of Macomb provides Xactimate-format estimates, coordinates directly with your adjuster, and bills your insurance company directly. You only pay your deductible.
Quick answers to the most urgent questions Michigan homeowners ask during a water damage emergency.
First, ensure your safety — do not enter standing water if it is near electrical outlets or your breaker panel. If safe, turn off electricity to the affected area. Then turn off your main water supply, call Prime Restoration of Macomb at (586) 209-4390, and begin documenting the damage with photos while you wait for our team to arrive within 60 minutes.
Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure in Michigan's humidity. This is why immediate water extraction and professional drying are critical. The longer water sits, the greater the mold risk and the more expensive the remediation. Call (586) 209-4390 immediately for emergency water removal.
Call a restoration company first. Prime Restoration of Macomb handles both the emergency water removal and coordinates any necessary plumbing repairs. We respond within 60 minutes and begin mitigation immediately, which is required by most insurance policies. A plumber alone cannot extract water, dry your structure, or handle your insurance documentation.
Most Michigan homeowners insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage such as burst pipes, appliance failures, and storm damage. Gradual damage, neglected maintenance, and standard flood events are typically not covered. Prime Restoration of Macomb works with all major carriers and handles the entire insurance claims process for you.
No. Do not use any electrical appliance that has come into contact with water until it has been inspected by a qualified electrician. Water-damaged appliances can cause electrical shock, fire, or further damage to your home's electrical system. This includes furnaces, water heaters, washers, dryers, and any electronics.
Learn more about protecting your home and navigating the restoration process.
Complete water damage mitigation, extraction, and structural drying.
Step-by-step guide to navigating your water damage insurance claim.
Professional mold inspection, testing, and removal for Michigan homes.
Emergency basement water removal and restoration in Macomb County.
Emergency pipe repair and water extraction when pipes freeze or burst.
Emergency board-up, tarping, and storm damage restoration.
Disclaimer: These steps are general guidance. Every situation is different. When in doubt, call a professional. Prime Restoration of Macomb is available 24/7 at (586) 209-4390. Do not put yourself in danger attempting any of these steps. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Prime Restoration of Macomb responds within 60 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. IICRC certified. Licensed and insured. Direct insurance billing.
Serving all of Macomb County including Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Shelby Township, Warren, Roseville, and surrounding communities.