Water damage in Boise or the Treasure Valley? Do these 4 things first.

Every hour water sits in walls and floors makes the damage bigger and the repair more expensive. Stop the water, stay safe, document everything, and get drying started. The steps below work for any home in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, Kuna, Caldwell and the rest of the Treasure Valley.

Stop the water damage: the first 4 steps

1. Shut off the main water valve

It is usually where the water line enters the house: in the garage, a utility room, next to the water heater, or in the crawl space in many older Treasure Valley homes. Turn a round handle clockwise until it stops. Turn a lever a quarter-turn so it sits across the pipe. If you cannot find or close it, call your water utility (numbers below).

2. Cut power to wet areas, only from a dry spot

Switch off the breakers for rooms with standing water, but only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. Turn off the water heater too: gas to "pilot", electric at its breaker.

3. Photograph and video everything before cleanup

Wide shots of every room, then close-ups of the source, the waterline on walls, floors, furniture and belongings. Keep the failed part (a split pipe, a burst hose). Your insurer will ask for all of it.

4. Start drying right away

The U.S. EPA advises drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold. Mop and wet-vac what you can, pull up wet rugs, and run fans and dehumidifiers. Water inside walls, under flooring and in crawl spaces usually needs professional extraction and drying equipment.

Water emergency numbers in Boise and the Treasure Valley

Call your water utility for a leak at the street, in the meter box, or before your main shutoff valve. Leaks inside the house, after your valve, are usually the homeowner's to fix with a plumber.

Numbers checked 2026-11-09. Some addresses are served by other water systems: the provider's name and phone are on your water bill. Full details on the Treasure Valley page.

Step-by-step guides by problem

Pipes and plumbing

• Burst or frozen pipe: shut-off, safe thawing and the first 60 minutes.
• Water heater leaking: gas and electric shut-off, where it leaks and what that means.
• Water coming through the ceiling: when to leave the room and how to drain a bulge safely.
• Flooded crawl space: pump it out, pull wet insulation, dry it before mold.

Contaminated water and mold

• Sewage backup: safety, who is responsible, and what has to be thrown out.
• Mold after water damage: the 24–48 hour window and the EPA 10-square-foot rule.

Winter in Boise

• At what temperature do pipes freeze? The 20°F rule and when to drip faucets.
• Winterize your home: a 30-minute checklist before the first hard freeze.

Money and insurance

• Water damage restoration cost (2026): survey ranges, cost per square foot, a worked example.
• Filing a water damage insurance claim in Idaho: step by step, including what to do if it is denied.

Water damage help by city

• Boise: Veolia emergency line, older North End and Bench homes, newer West Boise homes.
• Meridian: city water and sewer lines, newer-home risks, builder warranties.
• Nampa: 24-hour city water line, crawl spaces and older pipes.
• Kuna: after-hours city water and sewer lines, newer-home risks.
• Caldwell: City Water Department, crawl spaces and older pipes.
• Eagle, Star and Garden City: numbers and guides on the Treasure Valley page.

Why Boise winters cause so much water damage

Average overnight lows at the Boise airport weather station are about 24.5°F in December and 24.9°F in January (1991–2020 NOAA Climate Normals). University of Illinois research found that pipes in unheated spaces start freezing at around 20°F outside, so the colder nights of a normal winter are enough to split a pipe in a crawl space, garage or exterior wall. The leak often shows up the day it warms up, when the ice melts and the crack opens. On nights forecast near 20°F, drip faucets on outside walls and keep the heat at 55°F or higher, as the American Red Cross recommends.

What water damage repair costs

National cost surveys put most water damage restoration jobs between roughly $1,300 and $6,300, with averages from about $1,500 to $3,800 depending on the survey. Drying clean water from a burst supply line runs about $3–$4 per square foot; sewage cleanup about $7 or more, before drywall and flooring are rebuilt. The biggest factor you control is how fast drying starts. Estimate your own job with our cost calculator.

Quick answers

What should I do first when water is flooding my house?

Make it safe, then stop the water. Stay out of water near outlets or the electrical panel, close the main water shutoff valve, turn off the water heater, photograph the damage, and start drying right away: the U.S. EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold.

Who do I call for water damage in Boise?

For a leak at the street, in the meter box or before your main valve, call your water utility; for most Boise addresses that is Veolia Water Idaho at (208) 362-1300. For a burst pipe inside the house, call a plumber to fix the pipe and a water damage restoration company to extract the water and dry the structure.

How much does water damage restoration cost in Boise?

National cost surveys put most jobs between roughly $1,300 and $6,300. Drying clean water costs about $3 to $4 per square foot before rebuild; sewage cleanup costs about $7 or more per square foot. Speed is the biggest factor you control.

Does homeowners insurance cover water damage in Idaho?

Sudden and accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe, is commonly covered. Slow leaks, outside flooding and sewer backup without an endorsement commonly are not. Your policy wording decides, so photograph everything and report the claim the same day.

At what temperature do pipes freeze in Boise?

Research by the University of Illinois found that pipes in unheated spaces start to freeze when it is about 20°F or colder outside. Boise averages lows in the mid-20s in December and January, so colder nights cross that line.

What Home Emergency Line is, and is not

Home Emergency Line is an independent referral service. We publish free, sourced water damage guides for Boise and the Treasure Valley and connect homeowners with independent local restoration companies. We do not do repair work ourselves, and we are not a utility, insurer or government agency. Read exactly how it works and how we research our guides.