Before anything is moved
Capture the scene as you found it.
- Wide shots from each corner of every affected room, including ceilings.
- A close shot of the water line on walls and furniture.
- The failed pipe, hose, fitting or appliance and the area around it.
- Standing water, with an object in view for scale.
- The meter display or any gauge you use, next to the wall.
- Wet carpet, flooring and baseboards at doorways.
Organizing files so they can be found later
Rename or sort photos into folders by room on the day you take them, because a phone camera roll mixes everything together within a week. A folder for the kitchen, one for the basement and one for contents is enough. Add a short text file or note that records the date the water was discovered, the date it was stopped and the name of anyone who inspected the damage.
Send copies to yourself by email or a cloud folder, and keep the originals unedited. Edited or cropped files can raise questions, so keep the first version and work on copies.
After the first cleanup
- Items you moved, in the new location, with the original location noted.
- Removed carpet, pad or drywall, laid out and photographed before disposal.
- Any hidden damage you uncover, such as stains on subfloor or wet insulation.
- Contents with brand labels or serial numbers where practical.
- Dehumidifiers and air movers in place, showing placement.
Photo log for your notes
- File name or number
- IMG_0001
- Room
- Basement
- What it shows
- Water line on north wall
- Date and time
- File name or number
- IMG_0002
- Room
- Laundry
- What it shows
- Failed hose coupling
- Date and time
- File name or number
- IMG_0003
- Room
- Family room
- What it shows
- Wet carpet at stair
- Date and time
Fill this as you take photos so labels survive.
Video tips
A slow walk-through with narration works well. Say the date, the room and what you see: where water entered, how far it spread, what is wet. Pan across ceilings and the base of walls. Keep clips short and label them by room. Make a copy in cloud storage or on a second device so the record survives if a phone is damaged.
Photograph again at the end of the job. Before and after sets show the work that was done and any damage that remains.
Common questions
How many photos are enough?
More is better, within reason. Cover every room that was affected and each type of damage.
Should I include people in photos?
No need. Focus on the damage and the items. Avoid including documents with personal data.
General information for Northglenn, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.