Storm water came in under the door, through the roof, or up from the yard? Call or send a few details, and a local water damage pro will get back to you about getting it pumped out and dried before mold sets in.
Outside water is dirty water
Water that comes in from outside has run across yards, streets, and sometimes overflowing sewers. Even when it looks clear, treat it as contaminated. Carpet, pad, and the bottom of the drywall it touched usually can’t be saved, and anything porous it soaked, like mattresses and upholstered furniture, usually goes too. The EPA recommends bringing in a professional when the water was contaminated.
Keep kids and pets out of it, wear boots and gloves, and don’t turn power back on in a room that flooded until it’s been checked.
Roof and window leaks
A roof leak during a storm is cleaner water, but it hides. It runs along rafters, soaks attic insulation, and shows up as a ceiling stain in a different room from where it came in. Get the roof tarped or fixed first, then have the attic and ceiling checked with a moisture meter. Wet insulation doesn’t dry well in place and is usually replaced. See water damage repair for ceilings.
Flood insurance is separate
This one catches people out. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, home policies don’t cover floods, which means water rising from outside. You’d need a separate flood policy, and FEMA says a new flood policy usually takes 30 days to kick in. A roof leak or wind-driven rain during a storm is a different situation and may fall under your home policy. Ask your agent, and read the insurance guide.
Either way, take photos and video of the water line on the walls and of everything damaged before it’s thrown out.
We cover north Fort Worth, Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, North Richland Hills, Roanoke, and the towns around them.
Storm water in the house? Call or send the details.