Goals for the first three days

Safety
People clear of hazards, electrical made safe, fire protection restored or covered.
Source
Stopped, documented and repaired or made temporary.
Spread
Every affected area found, including floors below and hidden cavities.
Drying
Equipment running and readings logged in every wet area.
Records
Photos, notices and logs organized by area and by party.

Timeline

Hour 0 to 1
Confirm no fire or electrical danger. Stop the source. Move people away from hazards. Call 911 if anyone is at risk.
Hour 1 to 2
Notify the owner representative and on-call engineer. Call needed trades: plumber, electrician, fire protection vendor, elevator company.
Hour 1 to 3
Photograph the source and all affected areas before cleanup. Engage a commercial restoration contractor you have vetted.
Hour 2 to 6
Extraction begins on the source floor and works down. Floors below are walked and ceiling tiles lifted where wet.
Hour 4 to 12
First tenant notice sent. Affected tenants protect equipment and contents. Insurer notified with initial details.
Day 1 end
Drying equipment in place. Initial moisture map completed. Wet unsalvageable materials identified, pending testing in older buildings.
Day 2
First full set of daily readings. Adjuster contacted or on site. Tenant contacts confirmed. Equipment adjusted toward lagging areas.
Day 3
Progress review with the contractor. Documentation split by suite confirmed. Plan for reconstruction scope and timing begins.

Checkpoint at hour 72

  • Source repaired or permanently isolated.
  • All affected floors and suites on the moisture map.
  • Daily readings show progress in each area.
  • No unexplained odor or new staining.
  • Every affected tenant has received at least one update and knows their contact.
  • Each insurer involved has a claim number and the initial documentation.
  • Fire protection, elevators and electrical systems back in service or on a written schedule.

Common questions

Should the insurer be notified before mitigation starts?

Notify promptly, but do not wait for an adjuster's visit to begin emergency mitigation. Most commercial policies expect reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Photograph conditions first so the insurer can see what was there.

When should tenants be allowed back into affected suites?

When the area is safe: electrical cleared, no slip or trip hazards from hoses and cords, containment in place if work continues, and air quality not a concern. Agree on this with the restoration contractor and engineering, not on a fixed day count.

What if the source was in a tenant's space?

Mitigation should still proceed across all affected areas. Note in the file where the source was and preserve the failed part; insurers sort out recovery later.

General information for Downtown Denver, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.