Shut off the water and power if it is safe
Find the shutoff valve for the fixture or the main line and close it. If water is near outlets, electrical panels, or appliances, turn off power to the affected area at the breaker only if you can reach it without touching water. If you cannot safely reach either shutoff, leave it alone and get out of the wet area. Safety comes before property. Tell the restoration team what you turned off and where the water appears to be coming from.
Document before you clean up
Take photos and video of the standing water, damaged belongings, and the area around the source before you move or discard anything. That record helps your insurer understand the cause and the scope. Move valuable items to a dry room if you can do so without stepping through water near electrical hazards. Do not pull up carpet or open walls on your own, because that can hide the evidence an adjuster or restoration team needs and can spread contamination.
What not to do while you wait
Do not use a regular household vacuum or a shop vac on standing water. Do not walk through wet areas near outlets or downed power. Do not try to dry the structure with household fans if the water is gray or black water, because that can spread contamination. Do not wait to see whether it dries on its own. Water that sits can lead to mold growth within 24 to 48 hours, and standing water weakens drywall, warps flooring, and stresses structural framing.
Call for help early
Once the water is shut off and the damage is documented, call a restoration company. AST provides 24/7 emergency water damage restoration across San Antonio, with IICRC-certified crews who extract water, dry the structure, and check for hidden moisture with thermal imaging and moisture meters. If you are not sure whether to file a claim, our free claim calculator compares filing against paying out of pocket. Getting eyes on the damage early keeps a small leak from becoming a larger repair.