Fire board-up and tarping in Preston Hollow

Large homes rarely have one simple roof. Multiple ridges, valleys, dormers and turrets meet at awkward angles, and materials may include slate, clay tile, standing-seam metal or heavy shingle. A tarp over a valley can trap water unless it is laid with care, and walking on tile or slate can crack it, adding new leaks to the fire damage. Crews may use lifts or roof ladders to spread their weight, or build a framed temporary cover over a large opening. Ask that broken slates, tiles and copper pieces be kept, labeled and stored, as they can help a roofer match the originals later.

A burned roof may hide weak decking, so nobody should walk on it without an assessment. Do not go up yourself, even on a low section over a garage. Have someone photograph the roof from the ground or with a drone, if your insurer accepts that, before any covers go on.

Two-story window walls, arched openings and custom steel or wood windows do not fit a standard sheet of plywood. A crew will build a frame on site, often joining several panels and bracing them from inside. Large openings catch a lot of wind, so that frame has to be well fixed without damaging stone or stucco. Tell the crew if a window is custom, and ask them to fix into the frame rather than drill into stone. Save any pieces of specialty glass and hardware, since matching a custom unit can take a long time, and the opening could stay covered for months.

Firefighters may have forced a gate or disabled a controller. Crews need a working way in, and you will want to keep control of who enters. Give the crew a code that you can change later, or have a person on site. A long drive helps with staging, since there is usually space for trucks and materials, but check the weight limits of decorative paving and the clearance under big trees. Tell the crew about any underground irrigation, pool equipment or lighting, so that lifts do not crush them.

Many homes here sit back from the street behind landscaping, which is part of their appeal, but a damaged house that nobody can see from the road is easier to enter unnoticed. Once it is closed, think about what else is needed. Temporary fencing, security patrols, working lights and a monitored alarm are common options. If your alarm panel or cameras were lost in the fire, tell the crew. Remove jewelry, papers and small valuables once officials allow it. Art and collections should be handled by specialists, not rushed out. Tell your insurer that the house is empty, as some policies have vacancy conditions.

Large lots with mature trees give this neighborhood its character. Scorched limbs may fall without warning, and branches may have to be trimmed so crews can reach the roof. Leaves and limbs can clog a tarp and hold water on it, and spring storms bring wind and heavy rain to North Texas. Ask an arborist to look at any tree close to the house, and have the cover checked after each storm. Do not let anyone cut back a large tree without asking, because a burned-looking tree may recover.

Many properties have guest quarters, large garages, cabanas or pool houses. A fire in the main house may spread to them, or leave them exposed to smoke. Check each building, and secure any that are damaged. Pool equipment and fuel for a generator need attention too. If a gas line to an outdoor kitchen or fire pit was affected, keep it shut off. Gas service should stay off until Atmos Energy or a qualified technician has looked at it ^[4]. Generators should be checked before they restart, because they may be set to run on their own when power fails.

Not every house here is new. Older estates and mid-century homes may have original wood windows, plaster and roofing that are harder to replace. Fasten panels in ways that leave these intact. If you plan a permanent change after the fire, structural and other repairs need permits from the city ^[3], and some areas have deed rules or neighborhood conditions. Check these before ordering any replacement materials, even if a change seems small.

The next steps are usually drying firefighting water, smoke cleanup and contents work. A large job may keep the family out for months, so ask how long temporary covers should last and who will inspect them during that time.

Large lots leave some distance between houses, but neighbors still notice trucks, lifts and temporary fencing. A short note explaining who is on site and for how long heads off worry, and it gives them a number to call if they see something wrong at night.