Key facts: Cedar Hill
Local risks
What drives damage in Cedar Hill
That 2022 storm brought creek flooding that damaged homes on a Cedar Hill street. Creek lines around Bear Creek are the area's main local runoff concern.
Housing
Homes and buildings here
Lake Ridge has custom homes on wooded lots. High Pointe sections date from the mid-1980s to mid-2000s, so plumbing varies, and Historic Downtown has early 20th century buildings.
Common damage
Where to go next
Services people ask about
Start with water damage restoration, flooded basement cleanup or burst pipe water damage. Older downtown buildings may need lead-safe work.
Service areas
Restoration service areas in Cedar Hill
Cities and neighborhoods: Bear Creek, High Pointe, Historic Downtown, Lake Ridge.
First things
In Cedar Hill, sort out whether it is street water or house water
If several homes on your street see the same thing, call the city's Water and Sewer Division. If only your house has a problem, you probably need a plumber and possibly a restoration contractor. If a creek came up, treat it as contaminated water, and keep off the road in the meantime.
The city has a small number of named local water stories, and this page sticks to those: the August 2022 storm, Joe Pool Lake, February 2021, and what the age of a neighborhood says about its pipes.
August 2022
The storm that brought a creek into homes
On August 22, 2022, DFW Airport logged 9.19 inches in a day, behind only the 1932 record. KRLD quoted Councilwoman Shirley Daniels two days afterward, saying that a creek had flooded and homes along one whole street took damage.
Creek lines are the local runoff concern, including around Bear Creek. No street-by-street map of that storm turned up in research for this page, so check FEMA's maps for your address, and ask neighbors how high the water came.
Neighborhoods
Cedar Hill neighborhoods at a glance
Follow the links for each area.
| Neighborhood | Homes | Water note |
|---|---|---|
| [Bear Creek](/areas/cedar-hill/bear-creek/) | Neighborhoods along the creek corridor | Runoff during intense rain |
| [High Pointe](/areas/cedar-hill/high-pointe/) | Sections from mid-1980s to mid-2000s | Plumbing varies; one 1993 listing falls in the polybutylene period |
| [Historic Downtown](/areas/cedar-hill/historic-downtown/) | Early buildings, 1884 to 1899 homes on the walking tour | Plaster, old paint, designation rules |
| [Lake Ridge](/areas/cedar-hill/lake-ridge/) | Custom homes on wooded lots | Long plumbing runs; near Joe Pool Lake |
Joe Pool Lake
What high water at the lake does and does not mean
The Army Corps of Engineers runs Joe Pool Lake, which began filling in 1986, and has flood control among its purposes. In 2015 it rose nearly 13 feet over capacity, closing the state park and a marina restaurant for months.
That report does not mention homes in Lake Ridge flooding, and no source reviewed here says they did. High lake levels are worth watching, but a lake-area house is more likely to suffer from a supply-line leak or storm runoff than from the lake itself.
Pipe and soil
What goes wrong inside a Cedar Hill house
These are the patterns the local record supports.
- Polybutylene supply lineUsed in several million U.S. homes from about 1978 to 1997, and tied to leaks and a large class action. Many houses never had it or have been repiped, so check yours instead of assuming.
- A freeze like 2021DFW hit minus 2 degrees that February. In a hard freeze, Triple-I advises holding 65 degrees or warmer indoors and leaving faucets dripping.
- Shifting groundEagle Ford shale and Austin Chalk are both part of the local geology, and shrink-swell clay soils can put stress on slabs and buried lines. Mention any new cracks.
- Your own sewer lineA public main is the city2019s job; a private line usually calls for a plumber. See sewage backup cleanup if drains are involved.
Steps
The first hour of a Cedar Hill water loss
Five steps, and the order matters.
- 1
Stop or avoid the water
Shut the main for a burst line. Avoid creek water altogether, since fast water can sweep a person off their feet.
- 2
Decide who to call first
Street-wide problem: the city. Inside-the-house problem: plumber, then contractor.
- 3
Protect belongings
Lift furniture onto blocks and pull rugs if the power is safe.
- 4
Take photos
Before moving anything major, and keep any broken parts.
- 5
Call (833) 610-0241
You will be connected to an independent contractor. Ask whether they are registered with Cedar Hill, as the city runs a contractor registration program.
Local rules
Cedar Hill permits, registration and historic markers
The city has its own residential building permit application and contractor registration, so repairs may need to go through both. Since 2006, it has also run a Historic Designation Marker program in the downtown area, in an area around Belt Line Road and Highway 67, and five homes are on the National Register. Designation can affect exterior changes, so call before replacing old windows or siding.
In Texas, mold assessment and remediation is licensed by the Department of Licensing and Regulation, while plumbers are licensed through the State Board of Plumbing Examiners. And in any pre-1978 home, ask about lead-safe practice before old walls or trim get removed.
Texas coverage
Insurance notes for Cedar Hill homeowners
The Texas Department of Insurance separates sudden and accidental water damage, which is usually covered, from gradual leaks and seepage, which usually are not. Creek or rising water typically requires a flood policy. Ask your agent specifically about water backup and foundation language, since these are common Texas gaps.
Read working with your insurance adjuster before the visit, and keep receipts for anything done to stop further damage.
Cedar Hill questions
Questions from Cedar Hill homeowners
Was Bear Creek part of the 2022 flooding?
KRLD reported creek flooding on one Cedar Hill street without naming it. Check with neighbors and FEMA maps.
My downtown home has old plaster. Does it always come out?
Not always. Ask for moisture readings first. Older walls may hold up well, though flaking old paint also raises a lead question.
Do I have polybutylene?
Look for gray plastic line, often stamped PB, at the water heater or under sinks. A plumber can confirm it.
Sources and citations
- [1]U.S. EPA: A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home
- [2]Wikipedia: Cedar Hill, Texas
- [3]Wikipedia: 2022 Dallas-Fort Worth floods
- [4]City of Cedar Hill: Water and Sewer
- [5]City of Cedar Hill: Contractor Registration
- [6]City of Cedar Hill: Historic Preservation
- [7]Texas Water Development Board: Joe Pool Lake
- [8]National Weather Service Fort Worth: February 2021 winter event
- [9]Wikipedia: Polybutylene
