Why storm water is different
Water from a broken supply line starts clean. Water that has crossed lawns, streets and drains has not. It brings silt, fertilizer and often sewage, so the restoration industry treats it as Category 3. That means porous materials it touched, like carpet, pad and the bottom of drywall, usually come out rather than being dried in place.
Richardson sits on expansive clay soils that swell and shed water fast in heavy rain, and creeks such as Spring Creek, Cottonwood Creek and Prairie Creek run through neighborhoods. Lots near greenbelts and low corners can take on runoff through patio doors and garage thresholds.
Document it before cleanup
- Wide shots
Each room, showing the water line on walls. - Close-ups
Damaged items, flooring and the point where water entered. - Outside
The yard, street and any debris that shows how the water arrived. - Time stamps
Note when it started and when it stopped.
Flood insurance or homeowners insurance
Standard Texas homeowners policies generally exclude flood, meaning surface water from outside. Flood is covered by a separate flood policy, usually through the National Flood Insurance Program. Wind-driven rain through a damaged roof or window is often treated differently from rising water. Call your agent, describe exactly how the water got in, and let them tell you which policy applies.
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