These are the questions people ask most when water gets into a Houston home. The six in the "Common questions" section further down are the ones asked most of all; the rest are grouped by topic here.
About the line
Is Water Damage Pro Houston a restoration company?
No. It is a free phone line and website. It answers calls, asks what happened and connects you with an independent, locally owned restoration company. It does not extract water, dry, remove mold, repair, quote or bill anything.
What happens if the company I am connected with misses my call?
Your name, callback number, area and a short description of the problem are passed to the company so it can call you back.
Do I have to hire the company?
No. Hear what it found and read its written estimate first. You can choose any company you like. The guide to checking a restoration company lists what to ask.
Water and flood damage
What is the difference between a leak and a flood?
For restoration and insurance, a flood is water rising from outside: a bayou, a street, storm surge. A leak comes from inside: a pipe, an appliance, a roof. Rising floodwater from rivers, bayous or streets is generally treated as heavily contaminated (IICRC Category 3), and it falls under a separate flood policy. See flood damage restoration.
Can wet carpet be saved?
Sometimes. Carpet soaked by clean water and dried quickly can often be saved, though the pad underneath is commonly replaced. Carpet soaked by sewage or floodwater is usually removed. The restoration company makes that call on site.
Why does the company keep checking with a meter?
Moisture meters show whether walls, framing, subfloor and slab are actually dry. Rebuilding before materials are dry can trap water behind new drywall. See water damage restoration.
Mold
Will mold come back after remediation?
The EPA says that if the water problem is not fixed, mold will most likely come back. Remediation only lasts if the moisture source is found and stopped. See mold remediation.
Should I test for mold?
Not always. If mold is visible, the priority is finding the moisture and removing the growth. Testing is most useful when a musty smell has no visible source, or to confirm a remediated area is clear. See mold inspection and testing.
Can the same company test and remove the mold?
Not on the same project in Texas. State rules keep the licensed assessor and the licensed remediator separate, so the person checking the work is not the person paid to do it.
How fast does mold start?
The EPA's guideline is that drying within 24 to 48 hours usually prevents growth. Read how fast mold grows after a leak.
Insurance and cost
Will my insurance pay for this?
Only your insurer can tell you. The Texas Department of Insurance says most home policies cover sudden and accidental water damage but not gradual leaks, seepage or flooding, and many limit mold cleanup. Report the damage promptly and protect the property from further damage, since TDI notes an insurer may deny a claim if you do not.
How much does water damage restoration cost?
It depends on the amount of water, how contaminated it is, the materials, and whether rebuilding or mold work is needed. The line does not quote prices. The cost guide covers published ranges and what drives them.
Guides with more detail
- Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?
- Water Damage Restoration Cost
- Why Houston Floods
- How Fast Does Mold Grow After a Leak?
About this line: Water Damage Pro Houston is a free phone line, not a restoration company. It answers your call and connects you with an independent local water damage restoration company, which inspects, quotes and does the work, and which you pay directly. Companies may pay a referral fee. The line never charges you. Read how the line works.