Free tool · Denton, TX
Water Damage Emergency Severity Calculator
Not sure how urgent your leak is? This water damage emergency severity calculator rates your situation from Level 1 (minor) to Level 4 (emergency) in 6 questions and lists the safety steps to take right now.
- Takes under a minute
- Safety steps included
- 24/7 live dispatcher
Call now, skip the quiz, if
- Water: is still flowing and won’t stop
- Ceiling: is sagging or bulging
- Electrical: water is near outlets or the panel
- Sewage: or floodwater is inside
The score is a guide, not a professional assessment.
Severity check
Rate your water damage emergency
How the severity score works
Each answer adds points for the things that make water damage dangerous or expensive. The total becomes a percentage and a level.
| Question | Points |
|---|---|
| Water source | Clean 0, gray 2, sewage or floodwater 4 |
| How much is wet | 0 to 4.5, from one small area to multiple floors |
| Water still flowing and can’t be stopped | 3 |
| Ceiling sagging or bulging | 3 |
| Water near outlets, panel or cords | 3 |
| Time since it started | 0 (under 6 hours) to 3 (more than 48 hours) |
Under 25 percent is Level 1: Minor. 25 to 49 is Level 2: Moderate. 50 to 74 is Level 3: Serious. 75 and above is Level 4: Emergency. The calculator then lists actions that match your answers, such as shutting off the main valve, cutting power from a dry spot, staying out from under a sagging ceiling, avoiding contact with sewage, and taking photos for your claim.
Examples
- Level 1. A clean supply line leak in one room, already stopped, found a few hours later.
- Level 2. Sewage in several rooms, stopped, found right away. Remember that sewage needs professional cleanup even when the score looks moderate.
- Level 3. A washer overflow into several rooms, still running, with a bulging ceiling below.
What each level means for you
- Level 1: MinorDry it today. Extract water, remove wet rugs, and check with a moisture meter that the floor and wall bottoms are dry. Call if anything stays damp after 24 hours.
- Level 2: ModerateSchedule professional drying today. Water has likely reached places you cannot dry with fans, such as under flooring or inside walls.
- Level 3: SeriousCall now. Damage will grow by the hour, and you may need extraction, material removal and structural drying started the same day.
- Level 4: EmergencyHandle safety first, then call for immediate response. Leave the area if there is an electrical risk or ceiling collapse risk.
Any time water is near electricity, a ceiling is sagging, or sewage or floodwater is in the home, treat it as urgent no matter what number you get. Turn off power only if you can reach the breaker panel while standing on a dry floor.
Why response time matters
Water moves fast. It wicks up drywall, spreads under flooring and soaks the pad under carpet within hours. The EPA says materials dried within 24 to 48 hours usually will not grow mold. Our dispatcher answers 24/7, and we aim to have a crew on site in about 60 minutes in most of Denton County, typically longer for Carrollton and Coppell. See the cities we cover on our service area page.
Our water mitigation crews handle extraction and structural drying. For sewage and floodwater, our flood water restoration team follows Category 3 procedures. For a full step by step plan, read what homeowners should do after a flood.
FAQ
Emergency severity questions
Is a small leak under the sink an emergency?
Usually not, if it is stopped and the cabinet floor is the only wet area. Dry it the same day and check the wall and floor behind the cabinet. If the subfloor or wall is wet, it needs professional drying.
What counts as a water damage emergency?
Water that will not stop, a sagging ceiling, water near electrical, sewage or floodwater inside, or several rooms affected. Any one of these calls for immediate help.
Should I turn off the electricity?
Turn off power to wet areas at the breaker only if you can reach the panel while standing on a dry floor. If the panel is wet or you would have to stand in water, stay away and call for help.
Does a higher score mean a higher cost?
Generally, yes. More area, dirtier water and longer delays all add cost. For a rough price range, use the water damage cost calculator.
Can I use the severity check for a business or rental property?
Yes. The same questions apply to offices, stores and rentals. For businesses, also think about lost operating time; our commercial downtime loss calculator estimates what each closed day costs. Tenants should notify the landlord or property manager right away.