If you own or rent a home, water damage can be a huge issue especially if we don’t know how much will water damage restoration cost. It can happen to anyone, for many reasons, but the most common ones are:
- Sewer backups
- Clogged gutters
- Weather-related damage in case of flooding for example
- Faulty home appliances
- Moisture buildup in the basement
- Clogged gutters
Water damage can no only ruin the walls and structural integrity of your home, but it can also cause serious damage to your carpeting, furniture, electrical wiring etc. Furthermore, water damage can cause problems instantaneously and in the long run. Left untreated it can cause warped floors and even mold growth.
That’s why water damage restoration is something you need to do as soon as you notice that there’s a problem. It’s not only important to stop the damage but you also need to restore it in order to avoid future problems.
What factors affect the water damage restoration cost?
One of the main things people worry about is the water damage restoration cost. There’s no “unique” or “standard” price and many factors can affect the estimate. So for example, if the surface is big and the job is complicated, it will cost more. However, we can narrow down the list of factors to:
- Amount of water that needs to be removed
- Type of water (grey, black or clear)
- The source of the problem (where the water is coming from)
- The area that has been affected
- Is the water still present or not
- How long has the water damage been present
- What has been affected by the water damage
- Is there any mold growth and
- Will the restoration require reconstruction too
- Location of your home
Cleanup after water damage can be complicated and since these factors can all affect the water damage restoration costs, it’s important to hire a professional in order to take care of this quickly. Let’s dive in a bit deeper on how can these factors affect water damage restoration cost.
Amount of water and water damage restoration cost
Sometimes, the amount of water and the area that is affected by it can be related. But that’s not always the case. For example, if you have a leaning pipe behind your kitchen sink, that can be remedied pretty easily, even if it causes an inch of water on the entire kitchen floor.
On the other hand, you could have a learning upstairs shower that was unnoticed for many years. The latter can be a much bigger problem, since it can cause safety risks and mold damage.
Usually, when you have more water, bigger area will be affected
Types of water
If you didn’t already know, water is broken down by several categories depending on the level of hazard it represents. There are three major categories:
Category one which is a relatively clean water and isn’t dangerous
Category two which is water that was already used by your washing machine or dishwasher. It is considered to be slightly dangerous, so it was to be taken care of
Category three is the highest and most dangerous category. This water usually originates from sewage, has contaminants and bacteria and can be highly dangerous for your health.
The source of water damage
Water damage can originate from a number of places. Water damage restoration cost and restoration approach are all determined by the location of the source.
A leaking HVAC, especially if it hasn’t been maintained for a long period of time, can cause mold and mildew buildup which in the end could require mold damage restoration. In the event of flooding, a larger area of your home could be affected which could lead to floor replacement and other expenses.
How does the size of the area affect water damage restoration cost?
When a large area of your home is affected, it usually means a higher water damage restoration cost, because it will require more dehumidification, drying and more material for replacement or repairs. Sometimes replacing a water-damaged kitchen is cheaper than having to repair an entire floor of your home.
Is the water still present or not
If there’s still water in the affected area, the restoration will be more difficult. First, the professional will need to remove the excess water, dry out and dehumidify the area before they can begin any type of repairs or restoration.
How long has the water damage been present
If left untreated, water damage can cause severe problems that can only get worse in time. If you leave the area untreated for several hours, your carpeting, furniture and belonging will be damaged.
If left like that for days, mold and mildew will start to develop, the paint on the walls (or wallpapers) will be ruined and the wooden floor will start warping. Sometimes this damage goes beyond repair and things need to be replaced.
After a few weeks, the mold will take deeper hold in the organic structure of the walls and furniture, and by then it would be impossible to salvage it. Furthermore, black mold can have severe health risks especially if the mold spores get into your lungs.
Water damage that has been left untreated for a longer period of time, can cause structural damage on your house, making it unsafe. The house can shift under its own weights and it could start sinking.
What has been affected by the water damage
Not every type of material reacts the same way to water damage. Water damage restoration costs are also affected by what is your furniture or flooring made of. For example, if you have vinyl or linoleum flooring, you don’t have to worry much because they are pretty water resistant. If you have laminated floors, they can be replaced in smaller patches but only after you dry them out. And finally, if you have hardwood floors, if the damage isn’t extensive, you can replace different sections. But, if the damage is too big, you will need to remove the entire flooring and start from scratch.
Is there any mold growth?
The longer the water damage lasts, the higher the risks for mold and bacteria growth. It doesn’t take them more than a few days before they start showing and it can take them a week or so to start causing health problems.
So if your water damage also caused mold growth, you might need to do mold damage restoration as well.
Will the restoration require reconstruction too
Repairs are usually a better (more affordable, quicker and easier) than replacement. Repairs not only save time but also material which can significantly reduce the water damage restoration cost. However, replacements aren’t always possible especially if:
- The mold has taken root
- There was contact with Category 3 (contaminated) water
- The damage was caused by a storm and
- The damage was left untreated for a long period of time
How does location affect water damage restoration cost?
Recovery time after water damage is affected by the location where you live. This doesn’t only refer to the cost of living and water damage restoration cost.
If you, for example, live in an area that has a really humid climate, drying and dehumidifying your home can take much longer, which of course means higher costs.
There are various factors that determine water damage restoration cost. You might want to opt in for a DIY approach but without the necessary knowledge, skills, equipment and technique, you could do more harm, making the damage worse which will in the end cost you more.
This is why it’s crucial to trust this important job to the professionals who know how to deal with it.
