When a winter storm swept through Dallas on January 26th, one homeowner woke up to every property owner’s nightmare. Water was pouring through the ceiling. A pipe had burst in the attic, and the entire house was flooding fast. He grabbed the phone and called for help. Three different restoration companies told him the same thing: “Sorry, we can’t come out. The roads are frozen.” Then he called Intensa Dry Restoration. Our team didn’t hesitate. We strapped all-weather tires on our trucks and headed out to provide emergency water damage restoration when this Dallas family needed it most.
When Everyone Else Said No
Texas winter storms don’t happen often. But when they do, they catch people off guard. Frozen pipes become ticking time bombs. When one bursts in your attic, you’ve got water cascading through ceilings, soaking walls, and pooling on floors before you even realize what’s happening.
This homeowner was on his fourth call when he reached us. Three big franchises had already turned him down. We understand that icy roads are dangerous, but we also know that every hour matters when water is spreading through your home. According to IICRC S500 standards, professional water extraction should begin within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. We weren’t about to let frozen roads stop us from helping someone in crisis.
The Source and Initial Damage Assessment
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Water traveled from the burst attic pipe through multiple floors, requiring immediate extraction and moisture assessment.
Assessing the Full Scope of Water Damage
When we arrived, the situation was exactly as serious as we’d feared. Water had traveled from the burst attic pipe down through the master bedroom, master bathroom, upstairs hallway, and into the first floor. The family room, kitchen, dining room, and stair closet were all affected. Ceilings were sagging and paint was peeling.
Our first priority was stopping the source and extracting standing water. Then came the detailed assessment:
- Master bedroom: Over 260 square feet of laminate flooring saturated, baseboards compromised throughout
- Master bathroom and closet: Flooring damaged, vanity requiring detachment for proper drying
- Upstairs hallway: Ceiling partially collapsed, needing full demolition
- Kitchen and dining room: Ceiling buckling with exposed insulation, appliances at risk
- Multiple family rooms: Ceiling and wall damage, wet insulation throughout
Dealing with Water Damage Right Now?
When you’re facing a flooded home, you need a team that actually shows up. We respond to emergencies 24/7, even when the weather says stay home.
A Week of Nonstop Work
This wasn’t a quick fix. Our crew worked tirelessly for an entire week to fully dry out the property. We deployed over 25 pieces of drying equipment throughout the home. Three air movers in the master bathroom. Three more in the master bedroom. Another three in the upstairs hallway alongside an air scrubber and dehumidifier. Five air movers and a dehumidifier in the main family room. Four air movers, an air scrubber, and a dehumidifier in the kitchen.
We constantly monitored moisture levels, adjusting equipment placement as the drying progressed. When you’re dealing with water that’s traveled through multiple floors, you can’t just set up fans and walk away. You have to stay on top of it. Learn more about the four phases of professional water damage restoration to understand why this process takes time.
Upstairs Demolition and Drying Process
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
Strategic equipment placement and controlled demolition ensured thorough drying in the master suite and upstairs hallway.
Kitchen and Dining Room Restoration
The kitchen took a serious hit. Water had soaked through the ceiling, exposing insulation and threatening the cabinetry below. We carefully removed damaged ceiling sections, set up drying equipment around the appliances, and monitored progress daily. The dining room ceiling showed the same pattern of damage, with peeling paint and sagging drywall that needed to come down.
Kitchen Water Damage and Restoration
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |
The kitchen required careful demolition around appliances and cabinetry, with continuous moisture monitoring throughout the drying process.
Controlled Demolition and Sanitization
Water damage restoration isn’t just about removing water. It’s about preventing what comes next. When moisture sits in walls and flooring, mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours. That’s why we had to remove saturated materials quickly and thoroughly.
Our team tore out damaged drywall, wet insulation, laminate flooring, and compromised baseboards. We detached vanities, countertops, and cabinetry where needed to access hidden moisture. After demolition, we applied antimicrobial treatment throughout the affected areas and performed detailed HEPA vacuuming to remove any particulates. The EPA recommends thorough cleaning and drying as the most effective way to prevent mold growth after water damage.
Dining Room, Sanitization, and Final Steps
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |
Antimicrobial treatment and HEPA vacuuming ensured the home was clean, dry, and ready for reconstruction.
Walking Through Insurance Together
One thing that really mattered to this homeowner was having someone in his corner during the insurance process. Dealing with a major water damage claim while your house is torn apart is overwhelming. We walked him through every step, explaining documentation requirements and coordinating directly with his adjuster. Our goal was to make a stressful situation as manageable as possible.
When the mitigation was complete, the home was fully dried and ready for reconstruction services. The moisture readings confirmed what we already knew from a week of careful monitoring: the job was done right.
What the Homeowner Had to Say
Read the full review on Google
We Show Up When It Matters
Here’s what this story really comes down to: when disaster strikes, you need a restoration company that actually shows up. Not one that checks the weather forecast and decides it’s too risky. At Intensa Dry Restoration, we serve the Dallas-Fort Worth area 24/7, including Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Richardson, and surrounding communities. Ice on the roads? We’ll find a way.
Need Emergency Water Damage Help?
Our IICRC-certified team responds in under 40 minutes, day or night, rain or shine, ice or no ice.
