Three different trades show up after water damage, and calling them in the wrong order costs you time and mold. Here's the sequence.
If water is actively coming from a pipe, water heater, or appliance, a plumber stops it. (Storm water skips this step — nobody can plumb the sky.)
This is the truck-mounted extraction, commercial dehumidifiers, and moisture-mapping crew. In Houston you want them on-site within hours, not days — the 24–48 hour mold clock starts immediately. They should give you a written moisture report when drying is complete.
Texas licenses mold remediation separately from general restoration. If you see mold growth over roughly 10 square feet, or smell it but can't find it, you need the licensed remediator — not a handyman with bleach. Bleach on porous surfaces treats the color, not the roots.
Active leak → plumber, then restorer. Standing water, no active source → restorer directly. Visible mold, no active water → licensed remediator. If you're not sure, a restoration contractor can assess and tell you which of the three you need. Get matched with the right one
