If water is leaking inside your Austin home, shut off the water supply and stay away from wet outlets and cords. Call (855) 727-0147 and we’ll connect you with an independent restoration company that serves Austin to extract the water and dry the building.
What to do in the first 24 hours in Austin
- Stop the water. Close the main shutoff valve or the valve on the leaking fixture. For a water main or meter emergency, call Austin Water at 512-972-1000.
- Stay clear of wet electrics. Don’t touch electrical equipment if it is wet or you are standing in water. Turn off power only if you can do it safely (Ready.gov).
- Call your insurer and photograph the water, the source and every affected room before cleanup (TDI claim tips).
- Report it promptly. Some homeowners policies require notice of water damage much sooner than other claims (TDI).
- Start drying fast. The EPA says water-damaged areas should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold (EPA).
- Don’t use gas appliances that were under water until a qualified technician checks them. Most Austin homes on natural gas are served by Texas Gas Service. From a safe place, call 911 and its emergency line, 1-800-959-5325 (Texas Gas Service).
- Move what you can. Lift furniture onto blocks and move papers and valuables out of the wet area.
Local numbers to keep handy in Austin
| Who | Why you might call | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Fire, injury or gas leak | 911 |
| City of Austin | Non-emergency city services | 3-1-1 |
| Austin Energy | Power outages | 512-322-9100 |
| Austin Water | Water emergencies | 512-972-1000 |
| Texas Gas Service | Gas leaks | 1-800-959-5325 |
| Building and Trade Contractor Services | Emergency repair permits | 512-974-1500 |
| Emergency electrical inspections | Inspections before power is restored | 512-974-2030 |
| Austin floodplain office | Floodplain questions | 512-974-2843 |
What water damage restoration involves
| Stage | What happens | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Find the source and map moisture | The leak is located and wet materials are mapped with meters. | First visit |
| Extract water | Standing water is pumped and vacuumed from floors and carpet. | Usually the first day |
| Remove unsalvageable materials | Soaked pad, baseboards or drywall come out so the structure can dry. | First days |
| Structural drying | Air movers and dehumidifiers run while readings are logged daily. | Several days in most homes |
| Clean and treat | Surfaces are cleaned; contaminated water means more removal. | During drying |
| Repairs | Drywall, flooring, trim and cabinets are replaced once readings confirm dry. | After drying |
The industry standard is the ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration.
What it typically costs
- How much water there was and how far it spread.
- Clean water from a supply line versus contaminated water.
- How long it sat before drying started.
- How much drywall, flooring and cabinetry must be removed.
- How many days drying equipment runs.
- Repairs and plumbing permits.
Ask for an itemized estimate and copies of the daily moisture readings.
How does insurance work for water damage restoration in Texas?
Your adjuster decides what your policy covers. The restoration company documents the damage and writes the estimate the adjuster reviews. It can’t negotiate your claim for you.
- Timelines: insurers have 15 business days to acknowledge a claim, then 15 business days to accept or deny it after receiving what they need. They can take 45 more days if they explain why (TDI).
- What to photograph: every affected room, the source of the damage and damaged belongings, before cleanup.
- What the restorer documents: photos, moisture readings or residue notes, a written scope and an itemized estimate.
- Deductible: you pay it. Texas law bars contractors from offering to waive, rebate or absorb it. A contractor also can’t act as your public adjuster (TDI: know the law).
- Living expenses: if covered damage makes the home unlivable, additional living expenses coverage may pay for a hotel and meals (TDI).
- Flood is separate: rising water from outside is usually covered only by a flood policy, not standard homeowners insurance.
Problems with a claim? Call the Texas Department of Insurance help line at 800-252-3439 or file a complaint.
What’s specific to Austin?
- Water emergencies. For a main or meter problem, call Austin Water at 512-972-1000.
- Emergency repair permits. The City of Austin says permits are generally required for repairs after fire and smoke damage, water and plumbing damage, electrical damage and gas line damage. Painting and small drywall repairs are often exempt (City of Austin).
- Electrical inspections. The city runs an emergency electrical inspection line, 512-974-2030, for damage that affects wiring. Austin Energy takes outage reports at 512-322-9100.
- Many renters. About 43% of Austin’s occupied homes are owner-occupied (43.4%, U.S. Census Bureau 2020–2024 estimate). Many households will need their landlord involved (Census QuickFacts).
- Check your flood risk. The city points residents to ATXFloodPro.com for floodplain maps, and notes every creek and lake has a floodplain, mapped or not (City of Austin).
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
Extraction usually starts on the first visit. Drying then takes several days, depending on what got wet.
It can be, depending on your policy and the cause. Report it quickly, photograph everything and let your adjuster decide.
Not always. Drywall soaked by clean water can sometimes be dried in place. The restoration company decides from moisture readings.
Usually. The City of Austin lists fire and smoke, water and plumbing, electrical and gas line damage among emergency repairs that generally need permits. Call Building and Trade Contractor Services at 512-974-1500.
No. Standard homeowners policies don’t cover flood from rising water outside. That needs a separate flood policy.
Related help nearby
- Fire, smoke and water damage help in Austin
- Fire Damage Restoration in Austin
- Smoke Damage Restoration in Austin
- Flood Damage Cleanup in Austin
- Mold Remediation in Austin
- Water Damage Restoration: the full guide
- Water damage after a fire
Get connected with a local restoration company
Free. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call (855) 727-0147.