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Duck Creek Water ResponseWater Damage Help · Mesquite, TX

After a Storm: What You Can Do Yourself vs. Call a Pro

Last updated October 25, 2026

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The short answer

Start with Safety First

Before you touch anything, make sure the area is safe. Turn off the electricity at the breaker if water is near outlets or appliances. If you smell gas or hear hissing, leave the house and call the utility company from outside.

Wear sturdy shoes, gloves, and a mask to avoid debris and dust. If you have a flashlight, use it to check for sagging ceilings or loose wires. If anything looks unstable, do not enter that room. Your safety matters more than saving belongings.

What You Can Handle Yourself

You can move light furniture, lift wet rugs, and place towels on small puddles. You can also tarp a broken window or cover a hole in the roof with a plastic sheet and boards, as long as you can do it safely from the ground or a sturdy ladder.

If you have a wet-dry vacuum, you can suck up standing water on hard floors. Open windows and run fans to help air circulate. These steps buy time and reduce moisture, but they are not a substitute for thorough drying and inspection.

  • Move furniture to dry areas
  • Lift wet rugs and remove soaked cushions
  • Tarp broken windows or roof gaps
  • Use a wet-dry vacuum on hard surfaces
  • Open windows and run fans
  • Take photos of damage for your records

When to Call the Pros

Call local water damage pros if water has soaked into drywall, insulation, or wood framing. Wet materials can grow mold within a day or two, and hidden moisture weakens your home's structure. A professional has moisture meters and drying equipment you likely do not own.

Also call if the ceiling is sagging, if water is near electrical panels, or if the storm caused sewage backup or floodwater. Those situations involve health risks and require specialized handling. Do not attempt to clean up sewage or black water yourself.

If you live in Mesquite, keep your shutoff valve location written down so you can stop water quickly after a storm. Knowing where to cut water can prevent further damage while you wait for help.

  • Water soaked into walls or ceilings
  • Standing water deeper than an inch
  • Sewage or floodwater present
  • Electrical systems wet or sparking
  • Mold visible or musty smell
  • Structural damage like cracked beams

Protect Your Belongings

Move important documents, electronics, and sentimental items to a dry place. If they are wet, place them on towels and let them air dry slowly. Do not turn on wet electronics until they are completely dry and checked by a professional.

Take photos of damaged items and the affected areas before you move anything. This helps your insurance company if you file a claim. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. Keep receipts for any materials you buy for temporary repairs.

Know the Limits of DIY

A few buckets of water on tile is different from soaked carpets and drywall. Even if you dry the surface, moisture can remain trapped inside walls and under floors. Without proper drying, mold can spread and cause health issues.

Professional drying and dehumidification equipment can pull moisture out of materials you cannot see. They also know how to inspect for hidden damage. If you are unsure whether you need help, it is safer to ask a professional than to assume the problem is gone.

Water damage does not wait

Phones are answered 24/7 for Mesquite and nearby communities.

Call Now (214) 983-0952

Frequently asked questions

How long can I wait before calling a pro?

Act quickly, especially in warm weather. Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours on wet surfaces. If you cannot dry everything thoroughly in that time, call a professional. Waiting longer increases the risk of permanent damage and higher repair costs.

Can I dry out wet drywall myself?

Usually not. Drywall is like a sponge; once wet, it can sag, crumble, and grow mold inside. Cutting out and replacing damaged drywall is a job for a pro. They have the right tools to dry the framing behind it before new drywall goes up.

What should I do with soaked carpet?

If the carpet is only slightly damp and you can dry it within a day, you might save it. But if it is soaked or the water was dirty, it is safer to remove it. Wet carpet padding holds moisture and odor. A pro can assess and remove it properly.

Call Now (214) 983-0952