Water damage in Richardson, TX: who to call and how to hire

Richardson's Response Center page lists the main number, 972-744-4111, answered around the clock. The city says to call it for reporting a sewer problem, reporting a water leak or low water pressure, and debris in the street. You can also report through the MyRichardson app or online. The Response Center is at the Public Services Service Center, 1260 Columbia Drive.

That line covers the public system. For a pipe or water heater failing inside your house, close your main valve first. Our emergency water damage page covers the first minutes and our first steps guide covers the hours after.

The city's Water page says Richardson has obtained its water supply through a contract with the North Texas Municipal Water District since 1965. The district treats water from Lake Lavon, Lake Chapman, Lake Texoma and the new Bonham Reservoir. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rates Richardson's water system "superior." The same page links to the city's water service line material identification information.

Census Bureau data for 2024 (ACS table B25034 via Census Reporter) shows that about 47 percent of homes were built before 1980, and about 39 percent in the 1960s and 1970s alone. About 22 percent date from 1980 to 1999 and about 31 percent from 2000 or later.

In houses of that age, slow leaks under sinks, behind toilets and in old drain lines are common. The Texas Department of Insurance says most home policies do not cover water damage from gradual leaks or seepage, including the mold that comes with them. Read our mold guide before deciding whether to clean it yourself.

Richardson's residential construction page lists permit types that often follow water damage, including interior remodel, foundation repair, and roof repair or replacement. Online permits are available for some project types. The same page lets you verify online that your contractor is registered with the city, which is worth doing before anyone opens a wall. Building Inspection is at 2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 550.

Texas has no state license for drying out a house. Two related trades are licensed, though. Mold assessment and mold remediation are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Its mold FAQ says the same company may not do both the assessment and the remediation on the same project, and only a licensed remediator can issue a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation. Plumbing repairs need a plumber licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, which runs its own license search.

• Photos and video of every wet area before anything is removed, plus close-ups of the source.
• Receipts for any emergency supplies, temporary repairs and plumber visits.
• Damaged items kept until the adjuster sees them, as the Texas Department of Insurance advises.
• The date you first noticed the water. Insurers usually expect hidden damage to be reported within days.

Search mold professionals in the TDLR license search. For typical costs, see our restoration cost guide.

This site is an independent homeowner guide. We are not a contractor, we do not perform restoration work, and we do not answer phones. To reach a restoration company, call one of the companies listed on this page or see all listed companies. Questions about this guide: email us. We do not take service requests. Please still run the license and permit checks on this page yourself.