Water damage in Dallas–Fort Worth

Safety first: if there is a gas smell, sparking, or a sagging ceiling, leave the area and call 911 or your utility before anything else.

1. Stop the water. Close the fixture valve or the home's main shut-off. In many North Texas homes it is in a box near the curb by the meter, at a hose bib, or in the garage.
2. Make it safe. Stay out of standing water near outlets and appliances.
3. Document. Photograph and video the source and every wet room before moving anything.
4. Call your insurer to ask about their claim process.
5. Start drying. Move rugs, furniture, and electronics out of wet areas.
6. Get the right help. A licensed plumber fixes the source; a restoration contractor measures moisture and dries walls and floors.

Why speed matters

The EPA advises drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold. North Texas summers are humid, so wet drywall, carpet pad, and cabinets can grow mold quickly if they are not dried.

Common sources in DFW homes

• Water heaters in garages, closets, and attics
• Washer hoses, ice-maker lines, and dishwasher supply lines
• Supply lines under sinks and toilets
• Slab leaks under concrete floors
• Pipes that froze and split during a hard freeze
• Roof leaks after hail or wind
• AC condensate drains in attics overflowing in summer
• Creek and street flooding during heavy rain

Clean, gray, or black water

Restoration pros sort water by source: clean water from supply lines, gray water from appliances, and black water from sewage or outside floodwater. The category affects what can be dried and what must be removed.

How our referral works

We are a referral service, not a contractor. When you send a request, we connect you with an independent restoration contractor who serves your city. You contract with and pay that contractor directly, and you are always welcome to choose someone else.

How to check a contractor in Texas

• Texas does not issue a statewide license for general water damage restoration, so ask about training and track record. Many firms train crews to IICRC standards; ask which certifications their technicians hold.
• Plumbing work requires a license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. Look the plumber up before work starts.
• Mold assessment and remediation above a small-area threshold require licenses from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the assessor and remediator on a job generally must be different companies.
• Some cities require registration or permits for certain repairs. Ask whether permits are needed.
• Ask for proof of liability insurance, a written estimate, and a written contract. Read any assignment-of-benefits or direction-to-pay form before you sign.

Related: water damage · slab leaks · frozen pipes · hail and roof leaks · flash floods · mold · guides

Guides: What Winter Storm Uri Taught DFW Homeowners · Hard Freeze Prep Checklist for DFW Homes · Documenting Hail and Storm Damage in North Texas · Clay Soil, Foundations, and Hidden Leaks

Common questions

Will insurance cover water damage?

It depends on your policy and the cause. Sudden pipe bursts are often treated differently from slow leaks and outside flooding. Ask your insurer. The Texas Department of Insurance has consumer help.

How long does drying take?

It depends on materials and how much water got in. A restoration contractor uses moisture meters to decide when materials are dry.