The first few hours after water damage are often the most important. The faster standing water is removed and drying begins, the better the chances of saving flooring, drywall, cabinetry, and other building materials.
Quick action can help:
- Reduce the amount of material that needs to be removed
- Lower the risk of mold growth
- Minimize damage to structural components
- Shorten overall drying time
That’s why our emergency response process is built around getting a project manager on site quickly and starting mitigation as soon as possible. So what happens in the first 4 hours after you call Executive Pro-Dry?
Minute 0-2: Your Call
When you call Executive Pro-Dry, a real person answers the phone.
No automated menu. No answering service. No call center.
We’ve provided live 24/7 emergency response in Colorado Springs for more than 40 years, and that part of the process has never changed.
During the call, we’ll gather a few important details:
- Your name and callback number
- Property address
- What happened
- When the damage occurred
- Type of water involved
- Approximate size of the affected area
- Whether you’ve already contacted your insurance company
If water is actively flowing, we’ll also help you locate and shut off the water source whenever possible.
Once we have the information we need, we dispatch a project manager immediately.
Minute 3-15: Dispatch and Arrival Time
A project manager is assigned to your loss and receives all of the information gathered during the initial call.
That means you won’t have to explain the situation all over again when we arrive.
Our goal is a 60-minute response time throughout the Colorado Springs metro area, including:
- Colorado Springs
- Manitou Springs
- Fountain
- Security-Widefield
- Cimarron Hills
- Black Forest
- Gleneagle
- Stratmoor
- Fort Carson
During major weather events or frozen-pipe emergencies, response times may be longer due to call volume. If that happens, we’ll tell you honestly and keep you updated.
Minute 15-90: Inspection and Moisture Assessment
Once on site, your project manager will perform a walkthrough of the affected areas.
Before any work begins, we document the loss with photographs and moisture readings. This documentation is important for both restoration planning and insurance claims.
The inspection typically includes:
- Visual assessment of affected materials
- Moisture meter readings
- Thermal imaging to locate hidden moisture
- Identification of the water source
- Evaluation of potentially affected rooms and building materials
One of the most important parts of this step is finding moisture that isn’t immediately visible. Water frequently travels behind walls, beneath flooring, and into adjacent rooms.
After the inspection, your project manager will explain what is wet, what can likely be saved, and what the next steps will be.
If you’ve already filed an insurance claim, we’ll collect the claim information and begin preparing documentation for your adjuster.
Minute 90-180: Water Extraction
Once the assessment is complete, water extraction begins.
For most water losses, this means using professional extraction equipment to remove as much standing water as possible before drying equipment is installed.
Depending on the size of the loss, extraction may take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
During this stage, you may notice:
- Standing water disappearing quickly
- Saturated carpet becoming noticeably drier
- Equipment hoses running from the truck to the affected area
- Increased noise from extraction equipment
The goal is simple: remove as much water as possible before the drying process begins.
Hour 3-4: Drying Equipment and Treatment
After extraction is complete, appropriate antimicrobial treatments may be applied depending on the type of water involved and the conditions present.
Drying equipment is then installed and carefully positioned throughout the affected areas.
A typical setup may include:
- Commercial dehumidifiers
- High-velocity air movers
- Containment barriers when necessary
- Floor protection for traffic areas
Equipment is sized according to the affected area to help create the most efficient drying environment possible.
End of Hour 4: Your Restoration Plan
By the end of the initial visit, you should have a clear understanding of:
- Which areas are affected
- What materials may need to be removed
- Estimated drying time
- Daily monitoring schedule
- Insurance documentation process
- Expected next steps
Our goal is to provide answers early so homeowners understand exactly what to expect moving forward.
What You Should Do Before We Arrive
While waiting for the project manager to arrive:
- Stop the water source if possible
- Take photos and videos of the damage
- Move valuables and electronics to a dry location
- Lift small items off wet flooring when safe to do so
- Avoid using a household vacuum on standing water
- Avoid using outlets or light switches if electrical involvement is possible
If sewage contamination is present, avoid entering the affected area unless absolutely necessary.
What Happens Overnight?
Once drying equipment is installed, it typically runs continuously until drying is complete.
You can expect:
- Increased noise from air movers and dehumidifiers
- Slightly warmer temperatures in affected rooms
- Daily moisture monitoring visits from your project manager
It’s important not to unplug, move, or adjust equipment unless instructed by the restoration team.
Related Resources
If you’re comparing restoration companies, read our guide: Colorado Springs Water Damage Companies Compared
If you’re trying to determine whether professional help is necessary, see: DIY Water Damage vs. Restoration Company
To understand the full process after the first day, read: Water Damage Restoration Timeline
FAQ
How fast can Executive Pro-Dry be on site in Colorado Springs?
60 minutes anywhere in the Colorado Springs metro (Manitou Springs, West Colorado Springs, 80902, Stratmoor, Fort Carson, Fountain, Security-Widefield, Cimarron Hills, Black Forest, Gleneagle). During peak season (frozen pipe nights in January) the back of the queue can be 2 to 2.5 hours, and we tell you that honestly.
Do you really answer the phone at 2 AM?
Yes. Live answer 24/7 at 719.573.8390. Not a call center. The person who answers can dispatch a crew. This has been our standard since 1984.
What should I do before you arrive?
Stop the water source, take photos and videos of everything before touching anything, move valuables off the floor, and avoid walking on saturated wood floors. Cut the breaker for the affected area if there is any electrical risk. Do not use a household vacuum on standing water.
Will you contact my insurance company?
Yes. We notify your adjuster within 4 hours of arrival with the documentation the adjuster needs to process the claim (moisture mapping, photo logs, scope of work). We provide documentation for your claim. We do not negotiate the claim for you, and your contract for restoration services is with us, not with the carrier.
Do I have to be home for the whole 4 hours?
No. We need you for the first 15 to 20 minutes (initial walkthrough and scope conversation). After that you can leave. We will text you the documented scope and projected timeline by end of hour 4.
What if I cannot afford it?
First, the assessment is free. We will tell you on the call whether the loss is small enough to DIY. For uninsured situations, we can sometimes phase the work or recommend financing. We do not pressure you on the call.
What happens after hour 4?
Equipment runs continuously for 3 to 5 days under IICRC S500 §13 drying protocols. We come back daily for moisture monitoring and equipment adjustments. Once dryness is verified against an unaffected reference area, equipment comes out and the mitigation phase is complete. Reconstruction (drywall, paint, flooring, baseboards) is a separate phase that adds 1 to 4 weeks. Full timeline at water damage restoration timeline.
What if you find more damage during the assessment?
We tell you immediately. If hidden mold, asbestos, or structural issues come up, we revise the scope in real time. No surprise charges later. We document the scope change and notify your adjuster.
Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes. We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, money orders, cashier’s checks, and regular checks. Your contract for restoration services is with us. We invoice you. If your carrier covers the loss, what they pay reduces what you owe us.
Ready when you are
Live answer 24/7 at 719.573.8390. 60-minute on-site arrival in the Colorado Springs metro. Forty-year-plus track record. IICRC certified. Family-owned and locally operated. It’s Not Dry… Until It’s Pro-Dry.