Water Mitigation in DFW: What Every Homeowner Should Know After a Loss

Water Mitigation in DFW: Essential Information for Homeowners Post-Loss

Water Mitigation in DFW: 5 Urgent Steps to Take When Your Home Is Flooded

Water damage can turn your world upside down in a matter of minutes. Whether it’s a burst pipe during a freeze in Frisco, a slab leak in Highland Park, or a surprise water heater failure in Plano, knowing what to do next can make the difference between a quick fix and a long, expensive nightmare.

At Specialty Contractors, we’ve helped thousands of North Texas homeowners recover from water damage with fast, professional water mitigation services—working directly with major insurance providers like USAA, State Farm, and Travelers to get homes dried out, cleaned up, and put back together quickly and correctly.

Here’s exactly what you need to do if your home floods—whether it’s an inch of water or a full-blown emergency.

Step 1: Stay Safe and Stop the Water

Before anything else, make sure your family is safe. If there’s standing water and electrical outlets nearby, don’t enter the space until a professional clears it. Then, find the water source and shut it off:

• Main water shutoff valve: Usually in the garage, outside, or near the water meter
• If you can’t find it or reach it safely, call your water company or a plumber immediately

🔧 TIP: Label your home’s water shutoff in advance so you’re not scrambling during an emergency.

Step 2: Call a Certified Water Mitigation Team—Immediately

Once the water is off, time is your enemy. Within 24–48 hours, mold can start growing behind walls, inside floors, and in air vents.

Specialty Contractors is available 24/7 for emergency water mitigation across DFW, including Dallas, McKinney, Fort Worth, and Southlake. We’ll:

• Extract standing water
• Dry out your home using commercial equipment
• Prevent mold and further damage
• Document everything for your insurance company

📞 Call us anytime at 214-389-5130 for rapid response.

Step 3: Start Your Insurance Claim (We Can Help)

If your damage was sudden (like a pipe burst or appliance leak), it’s likely covered under your homeowner’s insurance. Most policies—even USAA and other top carriers—expect you to act fast to limit the damage, or they might reduce your coverage.

Here’s how to handle the claim:

1. Call your insurer to report the damage
2. Ask for your claim number
3. Let them know Specialty Contractors is handling mitigation
4. We’ll work directly with your adjuster so you don’t have to juggle paperwork or multiple contractors

📄 We use the same estimating software as insurance companies (Xactimate), so your claim moves faster and gets approved accurately.

Step 4: Let Us Handle the Dry-Out Process

Once on-site, our certified team follows a proven water mitigation process:

• Use moisture meters and thermal cameras to check for hidden water
• Remove wet drywall, flooring, cabinets (only what’s necessary)
• Set up commercial drying fans and dehumidifiers
• Treat surfaces to prevent mold and bacteria
• Monitor daily until everything meets “dry standard” levels

✅ Specialty Contractors is IICRC-certified and recognized by top insurance carriers for doing it right the first time.

Step 5: Plan for the Rebuild (If Needed)

Once your home is dry, you’ll need to restore the damaged areas. As a full-service restoration and remodeling company, Specialty Contractors can transition directly from mitigation to reconstruction—without needing to hire someone new.

We’ll help you:

• Replace floors, drywall, cabinets, trim, and paint
• Upgrade materials if you’re interested (great time to refresh!)
• Coordinate everything with your adjuster
• Make sure it’s all done beautifully and on budget

Real-World Example: Freeze Damage in Allen, TX

A family in Allen called us after their upstairs pipe burst during a cold snap. Water flooded the hallway, bedrooms, and leaked into the living room.

Within 90 minutes, our team arrived to extract the water, set up dryers, and start mitigation. We helped them file a USAA claim, removed only what was necessary, and rebuilt their floors and baseboards within three weeks. The entire claim was approved—no stress, no surprises.

What’s Typically Covered by Insurance?

Most homeowners policies cover water damage if it’s sudden and accidental—not ongoing leaks or neglect. Common covered events:

✅ Burst pipes
✅ Overflowing toilets or bathtubs
✅ Hot water heater or appliance failure
✅ AC condensate line backups
✅ Storm-related roof leaks

❗ Flooding from outside the home (like rising groundwater) usually requires separate flood insurance.

If you’re unsure, we’ll review your policy and help you understand your coverage—no pressure, no obligation.

Why DFW Trusts Specialty Contractors

High-quality work. Honest communication. Local knowledge. That’s what sets us apart.

✅ 40+ years serving DFW homeowners
✅ Trusted by USAA and 35+ major insurers
✅ 24/7 rapid response across North Texas
✅ Licensed, bonded, insured, and IICRC certified
✅ Clean, professional, and respectful crews

We’re proud to serve our neighbors across Highland Park, University Park, Plano, Prosper, and beyond.

Don’t Wait—Call Now Before the Damage Spreads

Water damage only gets worse over time. If you act fast and choose the right team, you can save thousands—and avoid weeks of disruption.

📞 Call Specialty Contractors 24/7: 214-389-5130
🌐 Visit www.callspecialty.com to schedule your free inspection
📍 Serving the entire DFW metroplex