Water damage checklist for Palm Bay homeowners

Print this page or keep it on your phone. It covers the first hours after water gets in, then how to check out a restoration company before you sign anything.

In the first hours

• Keep people and pets away from wet areas that are near electricity. If the panel or outlets could be wet, get help from an electrician or your utility before entering.
• Shut off the water at the main valve or at the fixture. Find your main valve now, before you need it.
• If the water came from a sewer backup, toilet overflow or flooding from outside, treat it as contaminated. The EPA recommends calling in a professional experienced with contaminated water in that case. (EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home)
• Photograph and video every affected room, the source, and damaged belongings. Keep receipts for anything you buy.
• Move valuables, documents and electronics to a dry place.
• Do not run central heating or cooling if you suspect the ductwork got wet or moldy; EPA advises against running an HVAC system you suspect is contaminated. (EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home)
• Start drying: open interior doors, run fans and a dehumidifier if it is safe to use power. EPA guidance is to dry within 24–48 hours. (EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home)
• Call your insurance company, note the claim number, and ask whether they want to inspect before work starts.

Before you hire a restoration company

• License: Look up the company and any contractor doing repairs with the Florida DBPR license search. If mold remediation of more than about 10 square feet is part of the job, Florida requires a DBPR mold remediator license. (Florida DBPR, Mold-Related Services FAQ)
• Insurance: Ask for a certificate of liability insurance and, if they have employees, proof of workers’ compensation coverage.
• Training: Ask whether technicians are trained to the IICRC S500 water damage standard and which certifications they hold. You can look firms up through the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification).
• Written estimate: Get the scope, price basis (per square foot, per day of equipment, or fixed), and timeline in writing.
• Moisture records: Ask them to record moisture readings and photos each day; insurers often ask for this.
• Read before you sign: For residential property insurance policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, Florida law makes an assignment of post-loss benefits to a contractor void (Florida Statutes s. 627.7152). Read every document, and ask your insurer or the Department of Financial Services about anything you do not understand (Florida Dept. of Financial Services, Contractor FAQs).
• Who does the repairs: Ask whether rebuild work (drywall, flooring) is included or handled by another contractor.
• References: Ask for recent local references and check public reviews on independent sites.
• Payment: Avoid paying the full amount up front. Ask for an itemized final invoice.

This checklist is general information, not legal or insurance advice.