After a flood or storm, return home only when local officials say it is safe, and stay out of standing water. Call (855) 727-0147 and we’ll connect you with an independent restoration company that serves your area to remove water, mud and damaged materials.
What is flood damage cleanup?
It covers water that came in from outside: rising creeks and rivers, heavy rain that overwhelms drainage, and storm water through a damaged roof or windows. Floodwater is usually contaminated, so cleanup involves more removal and disinfection than a clean-water leak.
Is flood covered by my homeowners insurance?
Usually not. Standard homeowners policies don’t cover flood damage. Flood is covered by a separate flood policy, most often through the National Flood Insurance Program.
- New flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period before they cover a loss.
- National Flood Insurance Program policies don’t pay additional living expenses (TDI).
- Storm damage from wind or a fallen tree is a different claim from flood, so report each cause separately.
What should I do first?
- Stay out of floodwater. It can be contaminated and hide debris (Ready.gov).
- Don’t touch electrical equipment if it is wet or you are standing in water.
- If you smell gas, leave and call 911 and Atmos Energy at 866-322-8667 from a safe place (Atmos Energy).
- Photograph the water line on walls, every room and damaged belongings before cleanup.
- Report the claim to your flood insurer and, for wind or roof damage, your homeowners insurer.
- Cover roof and window openings to keep more rain out, and keep the receipts.
How does professional flood cleanup work?
| Stage | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Safety check | Confirm power is off in wet areas and look for structural or gas hazards. | First visit |
| Pump out and muck out | Remove standing water, mud and debris. | First days |
| Remove soaked materials | Cut out wet drywall and insulation above the water line, and remove carpet and pad. | First days |
| Clean and disinfect | Clean and treat surfaces that touched floodwater. | Before drying finishes |
| Dry | Run air movers and dehumidifiers, with moisture readings logged. | Usually several days to a few weeks |
| Rebuild | Replace materials once the structure is dry. Work in a floodplain may need a local permit. | After drying and insurer review |
What can be saved after a flood?
- Porous items that soaked up floodwater, such as carpet, pad, mattresses and upholstered furniture, usually can’t be saved. Moldy porous items may have to be thrown away (EPA).
- Hard furniture, metal and glass can often be cleaned and disinfected.
- Don’t use appliances that were under water until Atmos Energy or a qualified service professional inspects them (Atmos Energy).
What about permits and rebuilding in a floodplain?
Before rebuilding, ask your city or county permit office whether your property is in a mapped floodplain. Many local floodplain rules require a permit for any work there. Large repairs can also trigger rules to raise the lowest floor.
What drives the cost?
- How high the water rose and how many rooms it reached.
- How long the water stood before cleanup started.
- Mud and debris removal.
- How much drywall, insulation and flooring has to come out.
- Disinfection and drying time.
- Rebuild work and any floodplain permits.
How does homeowners insurance handle flood and storm damage in Texas?
Your policy and your adjuster decide what is covered. The restoration company’s job is to document the damage and write an estimate the adjuster can review.
- Report the claim early. Texas insurers have 15 business days to acknowledge a claim, then 15 business days to accept or deny it once they have what they need. They can extend that by 45 days if they explain why (Texas Department of Insurance).
- Photograph and film everything before it is moved or cleaned, and keep every receipt (TDI claim tips).
- Stop the damage from getting worse, for example with a tarp or a temporary repair. TDI lists this as a step for policyholders.
- Your deductible is yours to pay. Texas law bars contractors from offering to waive, rebate or absorb it (TDI: know the law).
- A contractor can’t act as your public adjuster. A company that does the repair work can’t negotiate your claim for you or advertise that it will.
- If you can’t live at home after covered damage, additional living expenses coverage may pay for a hotel, meals and laundry. Keep the receipts (TDI on living expenses).
Stuck on a claim? Call the Texas Department of Insurance consumer help line at 800-252-3439 or file a complaint online.
How getting help works
When you call or send the form, we connect you with an independent restoration company that serves your area. They inspect, document the damage and give you a written scope — you decide whether to hire them.
Questions to ask the company that comes out
- Which IICRC certifications does the lead technician hold (for example WRT, FSRT, OCT or AMRT)?
- Do you carry general liability and workers’ comp insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- Will I get a written scope of work before anything starts?
- Who will talk with my insurance adjuster, and what will you send them?
- If mold is involved: what is your TDLR mold remediation license number, and who did the independent mold assessment?
Frequently asked questions
Standard homeowners policies don’t cover flood. You need a separate flood policy, usually through the National Flood Insurance Program.
The restoration company decides after checking moisture readings. Wet drywall and insulation above the water line are usually removed so the wall can dry.
Often not while floodwater, mud and drying equipment are present. Ask the restoration company, and check whether your policy pays living expenses. NFIP flood policies don’t.
The water line on walls, every affected room, damaged belongings and anything you remove. Take photos before anything is moved or thrown away.
Find help in your area
Elsewhere in Texas? See all the areas we cover.
Get connected with a local restoration company
Free. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call (855) 727-0147.