Flood Damage Restoration in Garland, TX

Flooding in Garland is mostly a creek story

Duck Creek runs through the middle of the city, with Rowlett Creek and Spring Creek forming secondary basins. City officials have counted 18 significant flood events since 1998, and a city engineer's presentation lists 57 repetitive-loss properties citywide in 2014. In May 2015 nearly seven inches of rain fell overnight, and about four feet of water filled some streets near Glenbrook.

Neighborhoods such as Glenbrook and Gatewood have seen this firsthand. If you live near the creek, flooding is a plan, not a surprise.

Why floodwater is different

• It is Category 3 water. It carries sewage, soil and chemicals from streets and yards.
• It leaves silt and mud in every crack.
• It can compromise the structure, electrical system and HVAC.
• It is usually excluded from standard homeowner insurance.

What restoration involves

1. Make it safeNo entry until power is off and structural safety is checked. Wear boots, gloves and protective gear.
2. Remove water and mudPumps and extraction pull out water. Silt is shoveled and hauled out.
3. Tear out contaminated materialsPorous items such as drywall, insulation, carpet and pad go. Framing is cleaned.
4. Disinfect and drySurfaces are cleaned and treated, then dried with air movers and dehumidifiers.
5. Verify and rebuildMoisture readings confirm dry framing before repair begins.

Flood insurance in plain words

Standard Texas homeowner policies generally exclude flood, per the Texas Department of Insurance. Coverage usually comes from a separate flood policy, such as one through the National Flood Insurance Program, which often has a waiting period before coverage starts. If you rent, ask your landlord and your renter's insurer what is covered.

For the cleanup details after the water recedes, see flood cleanup services. For the broader overview of how drying and repair fit together, read flood and water damage restoration in Garland, TX.