Stop the Source of Water Damage and Stabilize the Area

A. Finished-Project Specification

Deliverable set: one stabilized limited clean-water-loss area with the source stopped or temporarily controlled through an approved procedure; electrical hazards identified and isolated where required; standing water removed from safe accessible points; a moisture map created after extraction; an updated damage log; a source-and-stabilization record; and a documented next-step authorization for selective removal, drying, environmental assessment, or professional mitigation.

B. Deliverable Schedule (Component Schedule)

Deliverable	Quantity	Form / Medium	Content Requirement	Preparation / Purpose
Source classification record	1 per source	Written form or digital record	Source description, classification result, classifying party, and referral status if applicable	Confirms the loss is within the approved clean-water scope
Shutoff and stabilization log	1 per property	Written form	Shutoff location, type, condition, operation result, and any temporary control installed	Records how the source was stopped or controlled
Electrical protection record	1 per property	Written form	Equipment inspected, isolation coordination contact, and equipment status (isolated/evaluated/cleared)	Documents that wet electrical hazards were addressed before further work
Extraction record	1 per affected area	Written form	Extraction equipment used, discharge location, quantity or equipment time, and areas extracted	Ties water removal to the approved discharge plan
Post-extraction moisture map	1 per property	Written form with labeled points	Instrument type, location, material, and reading at each labeled point	Establishes the boundary condition for Chapter 4 and Chapter 5
Next-step authorization	1 per property	Written form	Source status category, remaining hazards, and the specific next authorized action	Hands off the project to the next restoration chapter

C. Material and Supply Takeoff

• Documentation supplies: source classification forms, shutoff and stabilization log forms, electrical protection record forms, extraction record forms, moisture-map forms, and next-step authorization forms, sufficient for one full property with a 20 percent reserve for additional areas discovered during stabilization.
• Equipment: one non-contact voltage detector, one moisture meter for screening use, one flashlight, wet/dry extraction equipment sized to the affected area and classification, and one camera per stabilization team.
• Temporary control materials: approved catch pans, diversion tubing, caps, patches, or barrier sheeting sufficient for the identified source, selected only from materials appropriate to the specific fixture or opening involved.
• Consumables: spare extraction filters or bags, cleaning cloths for spill control, and warning signage for posted restricted areas.
• Referral list stock: current contacts for qualified plumbing, electrical, utility, roofing, or envelope repair professionals, available before stabilization begins.

D. Source Status and Classification Schedule

For the identified water source, record the following: source description, classification (clean water confirmed, or referred pending qualified classification), shutoff or control method used, electrical equipment affected and its isolation status, extraction method and discharge location, and final source status (stopped, temporarily controlled, intermittent, unknown, or referred). Do not leave any of these fields blank, and do not record a status category the observed evidence does not support.

E. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Source classification	Every source is classified as clean water and confirmed, or referred with a documented reason; no source proceeds under this chapter's scope without a recorded classification
Shutoff operation	Every shutoff attempt is recorded with location, type, condition, and result; no valve is forced, and no unsafe valve is left unreferred
Electrical protection	Every wet electrical device, cord, or panel in or near the affected area is recorded with an isolation status; no equipment is powered through wet or unevaluated circuits
Extraction completeness	Every area with standing water has an extraction record with quantity or equipment time and confirmed discharge location
Moisture map completeness	A labeled moisture map exists for every affected area after extraction, with instrument type recorded at each point
Next-step authorization	A specific next authorized action is recorded and matches the documented source status and remaining hazards

F. Preparation — Source Confirmation and Referral Screening

1. Confirm the water source is known or establish a source-investigation plan. Use the Chapter 1 damage log and safety register as the starting reference.
2. Classify the water source and contamination risk through the approved process. Record the classifying party and the classification result before continuing.
3. Stop work and refer sewage, floodwater, groundwater, chemical water, or unknown contaminated water outside the limited scope. Document the referral, the referred party, and the date.
4. Inspect exterior weather, roof, wall, plumbing, appliance, condensate, drain, and fire-suppression conditions related to the loss. Record each inspected condition and its relevance to the source.

G. Source Shutoff

1. Locate the main water shutoff and local fixture or appliance shutoffs. Record the location and type of each.
2. Inspect shutoffs for access, damage, corrosion, support, and likelihood of safe operation. Photograph the shutoff before operating it.
3. Coordinate utility interruption with occupants, property management, medical needs, fire protection, and essential equipment. Record who was notified and when.
4. Shut off water only through the approved procedure. Do not deviate from the manufacturer or utility-specified operating method.
5. Do not force a damaged, leaking, unsupported, or corroded valve. Refer any valve that cannot be safely operated.
6. Confirm that flow has stopped or reduced and identify residual drainage. Observe and record the result over a defined monitoring period.
7. Arrange qualified plumbing, roofing, envelope, mechanical, or utility repair for the source. Record the referral and scheduled date if available.
8. Use an approved temporary catch, diversion, cap, pan, or barrier only when it will not increase damage or conceal the source. Label the temporary control and record its installation date.
9. Do not make an unapproved permanent repair during emergency stabilization. Confirm the installed control is temporary and monitored.

H. Electrical Protection

1. Inspect electrical equipment, cords, devices, panels, and circuits in or near the wet area. Use the non-contact voltage detector from a safe, dry position.
2. Do not enter water or touch wet electrical equipment to reach a disconnect. Maintain a safe distance until isolation is confirmed by a qualified party.
3. Have power isolated through the utility or qualified electrician when required. Record the isolating party, method, and time.
4. Establish safe temporary lighting and protected power outside the wet zone. Confirm cords and connections remain dry and protected.

I. Structural Protection and Water Removal

1. Inspect ceilings, walls, floors, cabinets, and contents for collapse, delamination, and falling hazards. Record any condition requiring restricted access.
2. Support or restrict access beneath sagging or water-loaded materials. Post warning signage at the restricted area.
3. Move approved unaffected contents out of the wet area or elevate them on compatible supports. Record the disposition of each moved item.
4. Protect floors and finishes along the equipment and extraction route. Install floor protection before moving extraction equipment.
5. Select extraction equipment appropriate to the water classification, depth, access, and electrical conditions. Confirm the equipment is rated for the confirmed classification.
6. Confirm the approved discharge location will not overload drains, spread contamination, flood the site, or affect neighbors. Record the confirmed discharge location before extraction begins.
7. Remove standing water from the safest accessible point. Begin extraction only after the discharge location is confirmed.
8. Work from shallow or dry areas and do not enter unstable, electrically uncertain, or contaminated water. Maintain the restricted zones established in Section I.1–I.2.
9. Monitor for shifting materials, hidden holes, floating debris, and equipment leakage. Stop and reassess if any of these conditions appears.
10. Remove water from accessible low points, pans, cabinets, and protected cavities only within the approved scope. Do not extend extraction beyond areas already documented in the Chapter 1 damage log without a change record.
11. Document extracted quantity or equipment time using the project method. Record this on the extraction record for each area.

J. Post-Extraction Documentation and Handoff

1. Inspect for water migration into adjacent rooms, floors below, wall cavities, crawlspaces, and insulation. Record each migration path found.
2. Create an initial moisture map after standing water removal. Use labeled, repeatable measurement points consistent with the Chapter 1 record.
3. Install temporary leak monitoring, collection, or weather protection where required. Label each installed item as temporary.
4. Post warnings and maintain restricted access until hazards are resolved. Confirm signage remains in place at project closeout.
5. Photograph source, shutoff, temporary controls, extraction, affected boundaries, and remaining conditions. Index each photograph to the corresponding record entry.
6. Record the source status as stopped, temporarily controlled, intermittent, unknown, or referred. Select exactly one category and support it with the documented evidence.
7. Prepare the next-step authorization for selective removal, drying, environmental assessment, or professional mitigation. State the specific next action and the party authorized to perform it.