A pipe let go, the water heater is leaking, or the washer hose split? Shut the water off first. Then call or send a few details, and a local water damage pro will get back to you about drying things out before the damage spreads.
Shut off the water
Find your main shutoff now if you don’t know where it is. Common spots are the garage, a closet near the water heater, or a valve box near the street. If you can’t find it or can’t turn it, the valve at the water meter will stop it too. If the break looks like it’s on the city’s side of the meter, call your city’s water emergency line. Each city page below has the number.
For a water heater leak, there’s usually a shutoff valve on the cold water line going into the tank. Turn off the gas or the breaker to the heater too.
Plumber first, then the drying
A plumber fixes the pipe. A water damage company deals with the water: pulling it out of carpet and pad, drying walls and subfloor, and checking it with a moisture meter until it’s actually dry. You’ll usually need both, and the sooner the drying starts, the less gets torn out. The EPA says wet areas should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
Where leaks usually come from
Supply lines to toilets, sinks, and the fridge are the usual suspects. They last for years, then fail all at once. Washing machine hoses fail the same way, especially the rubber ones.
Water heaters sit in closets, garages, and attics. One in the attic often shows up as a ceiling stain before anyone sees the leak. AC drain lines clog and overflow in the summer and do the same thing.
Slab leaks are in the water lines under the foundation. Watch for a warm spot on the floor, the sound of running water when nothing’s on, or a water bill that jumps for no reason.
And in a hard freeze, pipes in exterior walls, attics, and garages can split. The damage often shows up when they thaw.
Will insurance cover it?
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, most home policies cover sudden and accidental water damage like a burst pipe or a broken washer hose, but usually not damage from a slow leak that went on for a long time. Take photos before anything gets cleaned up. The insurance guide has more.
Find your city
North Fort Worth · Keller · Southlake · Colleyville · North Richland Hills · Roanoke
Water’s off and the floor’s still wet? Call or send the details.