Initial scoping to determine how extensive the water damage is. The water damage will be found in 3 dimensions. Water always seeks equilibrium with its environment and wet always goes to dry, if it can. Just finding the extent of water damage on the floor isn't enough. The water damage needs to be mapped to determine how far up the walls it has wicked, and how far down into the substrate the water damage has gone, including possibly entering the crawlspace in a conventional foundation. This can't be done by touch. Very specialized water damage inspection tools and meters will be required, and every water damage professional has them.

A thorough understanding of water damage demands every water damage contractor be familiar with the "science of drying" also called psychrometry. Ask your water damage contractor what the dry standard is of each structural component suffering potential water damage. With proper water damage inspection tools and water damage experience, he should be able to tell you on a scale of 100 points the moisture content of the water damaged materials. If he can't, call a different water damage restoration professional. Make sure your water damage restoration contractor draws a "moisture map" of the affected areas showing the full extent of the water damage migration, and that he updates the map regularly to show the progress of the water damage/structural drying project.

A professional water damage restoration contractor should select the structural drying equipment in a scientific method based on materials, size of the water damage area, and the class and category of the water damage. At the very least he should be certified in applied structural drying and water damage restoration.

Any extraction of standing water or of carpet and padding involved in a water damage project should be done with the very best water extraction tools. Preferably sub-surface water extraction tools. If wall to wall carpet is not to be replaced, which is rarely needed with new structural drying technologies, the last thing a trained specialist in structural drying and water damage restoration will do is set air movement under the carpet to "float" it.

Safety is of primary importance. Water near electric outlets and appliances pose a serious risk of shock. Beyond that the source of the problem needs to be corrected before full restoration can begin.
If the water source is stopped, the clean-up can generally begin in the morning. If a broken pipe is to blame, the water to the house may need to be shut off until a plumber can fix it. The initial extraction of standing water generally takes only a few hours, however to completely dry the structure may take 3-5 days. Any damage to walls, floors and ceilings will be repaired after the home is dry. The entire process often takes less than 10 days.