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Emergency Water Damage in Richardson, TX
Water coming through a ceiling, out of a wall or up through the floor? The first 15 minutes matter more than anything a crew does later. Shut off your main water valve, keep away from wet outlets, then call (972) 947-2040 to be connected with a restoration provider serving Richardson.
Right now
The first 15 minutes
- Stop the water. Close the main shutoff, usually near the street in a ground box or where the line comes into the slab. For a toilet, sink or washer, close the small valve behind it.
- Make it safe. If water is near outlets, cords or the panel, turn off power to those rooms at the breaker, but only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. If you can’t, leave the house.
- Stay out from under a sagging ceiling. A bulging ceiling can hold a lot of water and come down at once. Move people, pets and valuables out of the room.
- Take photos and video of the water, the source and every damaged item before you move anything. Your insurer will ask.
- Move what you can. Lift furniture onto foil or blocks, pull rugs and electronics out, and hang wet drapes up off the floor.
- Call for help. Call (972) 947-2040 to be connected with a provider, then call your insurance company the same day.
On the phone
What to ask when you call any restoration company
One Richardson homeowner wrote that they called nearly a dozen companies in the middle of the night before one answered. Whoever you call, ask these before you agree to anything:
- When will someone be here? Get an arrival window, and ask them to text if they’re running late.
- Will you measure moisture and keep a drying log? Daily readings are what your adjuster uses to approve the drying.
- Will you talk to my insurance company? Most good companies work with your adjuster directly.
- Do you handle the rebuild too, or only the drying? One company from start to finish is easier to manage.
- Are your technicians IICRC certified? Ask for WRT (water restoration) or ASD (applied structural drying).
More on choosing a company is on our FAQ, and on what a fair bill looks like in the cost guide.
Is it urgent?
When it can’t wait until morning
- Water is still running and you can’t shut it off
- Water is near outlets, the electrical panel or light fixtures
- A ceiling is sagging or has started to drip in several places
- Sewage or toilet water is on the floor. See sewage backup cleanup.
- Water has reached more than one room, or is soaking into carpet pad and drywall
A small, contained leak that’s already stopped can usually wait for a daytime visit. Dry what you can, run fans, and keep the area photographed. The EPA says wet materials should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold, so don’t let it go past the next day. Already seeing mold? See mold remediation.
By cause
Emergency help by what happened
- Burst pipe: water spraying from a wall, ceiling or under a sink
- Frozen pipe: a split line after a hard freeze, often in an exterior wall or attic
- Water heater leak: water around a tank in the garage, closet or attic
- Appliance leak: washer hose, ice maker line or dishwasher connection
- Ceiling leak: stains, drips or a bulge from an upstairs bathroom, laundry or roof
- Slab leak: warm spots or water coming up through the floor
Water bubbling up in the street or yard is often a city main break, not your pipe. See what to do about a main break.
Related guides: how to shut off your water · what to do when a pipe bursts.
FAQ
Emergency water damage FAQs
What should I do first when water is coming into my house?
Shut off the main water valve, turn off power to wet rooms if you can do it safely, and get people out from under any sagging ceiling. Then take photos and call for help.
Can I get help at night or on a weekend in Richardson?
Many restoration companies take emergency calls at night and on weekends, but not all of them answer. When you call, ask when someone can actually be on site and get an arrival window.
Should I call a plumber or a restoration company first?
If water is still running and you can’t stop it, call a plumber. Once the source is stopped, call a restoration company to remove the water and dry the structure. Many emergencies need both on the same day.
Is it safe to stay in the house?
Usually yes for a clean-water leak in one or two rooms. Leave if water is near the electrical panel, a ceiling is sagging, or sewage is involved, until a professional says it’s safe.
Will insurance pay for emergency water removal?
For sudden and accidental damage, like a burst pipe, most Texas homeowners policies cover reasonable emergency steps to prevent further damage. Report the claim the same day and keep every receipt and photo.
How fast should water damage restoration start?
As soon as possible, ideally the same day. Standing water should come out within hours, and the EPA says materials dried within 24 to 48 hours usually don’t grow mold. When you call (972) 947-2040, you’re connected with an independent provider serving Richardson. Ask when a crew can arrive, and confirm it before you hang up.
Last updated October 2026.
Water coming in right now?
Shut off the main valve, stay clear of wet outlets, then call. Drying that starts today costs less than drying that starts in three days.