Emergency water damage in Dallas: what to do in the first minutes

No. Water Damage Dallas Pros is an independent information website. We do not answer phones, we cannot send anyone to your home, and email replies are not immediate. If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 911. Use the steps below to limit damage while you arrange help yourself.

Dallas Water Utilities says its emergency services are available around the clock. If you live in a suburb such as Plano, Garland or Irving, your water and sewer come from your own city, so use the emergency number on your utility bill.

1. Shut off the water. Dallas Water Utilities says a private cut-off valve should turn off the water flow to the house, and advises locating it before an emergency and installing one if the property lacks it. If you cannot find or close it, the utility can shut off water at the meter in an emergency.
2. Stay out of water near electricity. The EPA says not to enter a flooded home until you are sure the electricity is off, because standing water can create a shock hazard if outlets are wet. If reaching the breaker panel means walking through water, do not do it.
3. Watch for structural danger. EPA lists signs such as a roof that sags in the middle or at the ends; if you see them, treat the building as unsafe and stay out until a qualified professional says otherwise. A ceiling bulging with water can also come down.
4. If you smell gas, leave. Call 911 or your gas utility once you are outside and at a safe distance.
5. Move valuables and medicines out of the wet area if it is safe.
6. Photograph and film everything before you move or throw anything away. The Texas Department of Insurance says not to throw anything away until your insurance adjuster tells you.

• Report the claim. TDI advises calling your insurance agent or company as soon as possible to report property damage.
• Prevent more damage. TDI says to make temporary repairs, remove standing water and cover broken windows and holes, keep a list of repairs and save receipts, and not to make permanent repairs before the adjuster sees the damage.
• Start drying. The Red Cross advises trying to dry your home within 24 to 48 hours, and if you cannot, to assume mold is growing. Our water extraction page explains the professional side.
• Treat sewage and floodwater as contaminated. The Red Cross also warns floodwater may contain sewage and chemicals and recommends boots, long pants, work gloves, eyewear and an N95 respirator during cleanup. See sewage cleanup.
• Keep the HVAC off if you suspect it is contaminated with mold, as the EPA advises.

Do not walk or drive through moving water. The National Weather Service says 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult, 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars and 2 feet can carry away SUVs and trucks. It cites the CDC finding that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. Our storm and flood damage page covers what comes next.

Emergencies are when bad contracts get signed. The Texas Attorney General warns about door-to-door contractors after disasters and says not to sign a contract with blanks. Ask any restoration company how it will classify the water, what it will remove and how it will document drying. If plumbing caused the leak, check the plumber in the Texas plumbing license search. If mold is already visible over a large area, see our mold remediation page for Texas licensing rules.

To reach a restoration company, call one of the companies listed on this page or see all listed companies. Once the situation is under control, you can email us with questions about this guide.