What happens when you call
- You call and say what you need and where you are.
- If no one picks up, leave a message. It is passed to a local water damage company the same day.
- The water damage company confirms the price with you before any work starts.
Water damage restoration in El Paso
Water removal
Pumping and extracting standing water, priced per square foot depending on how dirty the water is.
Drying and dehumidifying
Fans and dehumidifiers dry walls, floors and furniture, with moisture checks until materials are dry.
Burst and frozen pipes
Shut off the water first. The company dries the damage, and a plumber repairs the pipe.
Slab and hidden leaks
A plumber finds and repairs the leak, and the restoration company dries what got wet.
Roof and swamp cooler leaks
Water from a leaking roof or cooler can soak ceilings and walls before it shows.
Flooding after monsoon storms
Flood damage is usually covered by flood insurance, not a homeowners policy, so check your cover.
Water damage help across El Paso and nearby
- West Side and Upper Valley
- Kern Place
- Northeast
- East Side
- Mission Valley and Lower Valley
- Socorro
- Horizon City
- Canutillo
- Anthony
- San Elizario
Water damage in El Paso: what to know
Monsoon season
The National Weather Service dates El Paso's monsoon from June 15 to September 30. In 2006, rain from late July into August brought the wettest monsoon on record, 15.01 inches at the airport, and at least $450 million in damage.
Freezes burst pipes
In February 2011 El Paso spent 78 hours below freezing and recorded its coldest-ever high of 15°F. The Weather Service reported broken pipes and mains, with leaks flooding several homes. In February 2021 the low reached 14°F.
Your side of the meter
El Paso Water says the line from the meter into the house belongs to the customer. Its leak guide shows how to use the meter to spot a leak and how to check a swamp cooler by shutting its supply valve. Water main emergencies: 915-594-5500, option 6.
Hidden leak bill adjustments
El Paso Water adjusts bills only for hidden leaks, such as behind walls, underground or under the foundation, and only if you ask within 60 days of the repair.
Typical prices
| Typical water damage restoration | $1,200-$5,000 |
| Water removal, per square foot | $3.75-$7.50 |
| Finding a slab leak | $100-$400 |
| Slab leak repair | $1,000-$4,000 |
Ranges from published cost guides, not a quote. The water damage company sets the price and should confirm it before starting.
Before you hire
- Stop the water first, at the house shut-off valve or the meter.
- Take photos before anything is moved or repaired, and keep damaged items until the insurance adjuster sees them.
- Your insurer may deny a claim if you don't protect the property from further damage, so act promptly.
- Ask whether the company is IICRC-certified. It's voluntary, and you can check on the IICRC locator.
- A restoration company may not act as your insurance adjuster in Texas. Deal with your insurer yourself, or hire a licensed public adjuster.
- If there's 25 square feet or more of visible mold, Texas requires licensed mold professionals, and the same company can't both assess and remove the mold on one job.
Texas has no state licence for water extraction and drying. Mold assessment and remediation are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Prices above are national ranges from Fixr and Thumbtack, not El Paso quotes.
Questions
A pipe burst. What should I do first?
Shut off the water at the house valve or meter, turn off power to wet areas if it's safe, take photos, and call your insurer promptly. Keep damaged items for the adjuster.
Does home insurance cover water damage?
The Texas Department of Insurance says sudden and accidental water damage, like a burst pipe, is usually covered, while gradual leaks and seepage usually aren't. Check your own policy.
Is monsoon flooding covered?
Usually not by a homeowners policy. Flood damage needs a separate flood insurance policy.
Do I need a licensed company?
Texas doesn't license water drying. If there's 25 square feet or more of visible mold, the work must be done by licensed mold professionals.
My water bill jumped but I can't see a leak.
El Paso Water explains how to use your meter to check for a leak. Hidden leaks behind walls or under the slab may qualify for a bill adjustment if you ask within 60 days of the repair.