Water damage
Burst and frozen pipe water cleanup
When a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve first, then get drying started within a day. A plumber repairs the pipe; a restoration company extracts the water, removes wet materials and dries the structure.
- Free call, no obligation
- Serving 22 DFW cities
- Independent, local restoration companies
- Documentation for your insurance claim
North Texas homes were built for heat, not cold. Pipes in exterior walls, attics and garages are often uninsulated, which is why hard freezes like February 2021 split so many lines across the metroplex.
The damage often shows up when the ice thaws, not when it freezes. A split line in an attic can drop water through insulation and ceiling drywall into several rooms before anyone notices.
What to do first
- 1.Close the main shutoff (often in a ground box near the curb or in the garage).
- 2.Open a faucet to drain pressure.
- 3.Kill power to wet ceilings and rooms.
- 4.Call a plumber for the pipe and a restoration company for the water.
Burst pipe cleanup at a glance
- Category
- Water damage
- Area
- Dallas–Fort Worth
- Urgency
- Start within 24–48 hours
- Who does the work
- Independent local restoration company
Signs you need burst pipe cleanup
- Water pouring or dripping after a freeze thaws
- No water at one fixture during a freeze
- Bulging or wet ceiling drywall
- Hissing inside a wall
- A water bill or meter that keeps moving with everything off
How the work is done
- 1
Stop and document
The source is isolated and the crew photographs and meters every wet area for your claim.
- 2
Ceiling and wall checks
Wet insulation and sagging drywall are removed first because they can fall.
- 3
Extraction and drying
Water is pulled from floors, then air movers and dehumidifiers run until readings are dry.
- 4
Rebuild
Drywall, texture, paint and flooring are replaced after the plumber's repair is done.
Before and after
Water-damaged ceiling
Wet drywall and insulation removed, framing dried to a measured standard, then new drywall, texture and paint.
Example photos (stock), not a job by any company on this site.
What affects the cost
Pricing is set by the restoration company after an inspection. These are the factors that move it.
- Where the pipe failed (attic leaks spread wider)
- Hours before the water was shut off
- Amount of ceiling drywall and insulation removed
- Flooring type
- Rebuild scope
Safe to handle yourself
- Shut off water and drain lines
- Move belongings out of wet rooms
- Put buckets under drips
Stop and call a pro
- Sagging ceilings
- Water inside walls
- Wet insulation in the attic
Burst pipe cleanup FAQ
Where is the water shutoff on a DFW house?
Most homes have a main valve in a ground box near the street at the meter, and many also have a house valve in the garage or near the water heater. A meter key or large pliers may be needed at the street.
Is a frozen pipe burst covered by insurance?
Usually, if the home was heated and the break was sudden. Insurers may deny claims for vacant or unheated homes. Report the claim quickly and keep photos.
Related
Often needed with this
Need burst pipe cleanup in DFW?
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