Firefighting water in Preston Hollow homes

Large homes can have big attics and long roof spans, and firefighters may put a lot of water on them to stop a fire. That water goes down through ceilings, into wall cavities and over floors to the lowest levels. A two-story foyer or stairwell can act as a funnel. Water may reach rooms that look entirely untouched by fire. Stay clear of sagging ceilings, particularly under heavy decorative plaster and chandeliers. A moisture map by zone should come first, so that crews can see the entire extent of the problem before they choose where to start.

Crews generally begin by making the house safe, then removing standing water, then working on whatever is most at risk. Wet art, books and fine rugs need attention right away. Next comes water trapped in floors and ceilings above finished rooms. Rooms still waiting for help can be kept from getting worse by moving belongings, opening cabinets and removing wet rugs. With enough crew, several zones can run at once. One point of contact should decide, and should explain priorities to everyone involved.

Wide wood floors can cup, and engineered floors can separate. Stone looks unharmed, but water can sit in the setting bed below it and leave dark patches for a long time. Radiant floor systems add complexity, so tell the crew if you have them. Readings should be taken through or near joints, or at spots where a small hole would not be noticed. Do not let anyone rush to sand or replace wood until it has dried and settled. Keep a sample of each flooring for matching.

Where a home has a basement, a wine room or a lower-level media room, water may collect there. Wine rooms lose cooling if power goes off, and water may reach bottles and racks. Mechanical rooms may hold boilers, panels and pool equipment. Stay out of standing water if it could be touching electricity. Sump pumps and drains may have been overwhelmed, so check them. Anything that was reached by water should be inspected, and only Atmos Energy or a qualified technician should restore gas after it was shut off ^[6].

Big rooms and tall ceilings call for a lot of dehumidification. Sections may be closed with plastic, so equipment can work on one zone without having to dry the whole house at once. Power can be a limit, since equipment uses a lot of it and some circuits may be out, so a generator may be needed. Keep windows closed in humid weather. Dallas summers are hot and humid, and warm damp air can encourage mold on wet materials ^[2]. Art storage and wine areas may need their own climate control during this period.

Water that has moved through a fire scene carries soot and burned residue. Drying before cleaning can set stains and odor. Soaked pad, insulation and soft materials are usually taken out, while hard surfaces are washed. In stone showers and tile rooms, residue can settle into grout. Tell the crew if any pool or fountain equipment was affected, since chemicals stored nearby can mix with the water and call for extra care. Keep clean rooms sealed off so that residue does not travel on boots and hoses.

Large homes are often insured under policies designed for high-value properties, with terms that vary ^[5]. Tell your agent quickly, and keep the drying logs, photos, inventories and every report. Repairs involving structure, wiring, plumbing or mechanical systems generally need city permits ^[4]. Ask that materials not be closed in until readings have reached their goals. Have your point of contact keep the logs in one place, so your adjuster, architect and contractor all work from the same numbers.

Check walk-in closets, media rooms and areas behind built-ins for musty smells in the weeks that follow. Wood floors may keep changing for a while, so wait before refinishing. If stone still shows dark patches, ask for readings beneath it. Keep an eye on ceilings under wet attics after the first big storm. A simple note with a date and a photo helps your contractor respond quickly.

Coffered and decorative plaster ceilings can be heavy when wet, and a chandelier hanging from a soaked ceiling is a real danger. Keep people out from under them until they have been checked. Fixtures may need to come down before drying starts. Wood ceilings can stain or warp, so ask for slow, controlled drying, with readings taken on them just as on the floors. Keep any pieces that fall, as a plasterer or millworker can copy them. Ask the crew to photograph each ceiling from below before anything is opened, since those pictures can guide matching later on and support your claim.

Check guest houses, garages and any lower terraces where water may have run. Clogged drains can back up after a big fire, and hose lines may have damaged irrigation or landscape lighting. Note what you find, and share it with your adjuster.