How Much Does It Cost to Fix Water Damage?

This is a pervasive question that does not have an easy answer. Learning about the cost of fixing water damage can help you manage your finances in this situation. The best way to find a water damage restoration cost is to ask for an estimate from a professional restoration company. Even then, the answer is not simple.

The restoration company must go to the property and investigate the damage. Statistically, the average cost for flood damage restoration is $2,700. A slight, clean water loss will often be around $1,000, while a significant, black water loss (such as a flood) can be $5,000 or more. These costs are just for making the property dry and safe (mitigation and restoration). These costs don’t include any reconstruction, such as replacing drywall, painting, or floor covering.

What does a water damage restoration company need to know before they can give an estimate?

• The category of the loss:
  • “Clean water” that contains little or no contamination. It could come from a leaking or broken tap, pipe or hose, or possibly rainwater that went through an open window. It is the cleanest and safest water to handle and remove. In a pure water loss, a professional can often save almost everything that was damaged.
  • “Greywater” has more contamination and could come from malfunctioning or broken appliances like washing machines and dishwashers. The increased contamination presents some health risks. We can save many things in a greywater loss, but not a carpet pad.
  • “Blackwater” is exceptionally contaminated and therefore requires the most excellent care in handling. It typically comes from sewers and the outside – over the ground from rivers, streams, or the ocean. Porous materials damaged by “black water” cannot typically be saved.
• The length of time the water sat affects the restoration costs. A clean water loss or a greywater loss will degrade to a black water loss over time, depending on the temperature. Also, the longer a water loss goes before it is restored, the more likely mold will develop, bringing additional problems and costs. Mold can begin to grow in 48 hours after materials become wet.
• The size of the affected area – the total square footage of the water-damaged area and surfaces: floors, walls, and ceilings.
• The affected surfaces are related to the different materials damaged: floor coverings, furniture, wall materials, etc. A loss on an upper floor will often impact the floors below.
• The extent of the damage – how much water is involved in the total loss.
• The type and amount of equipment needed to dry the property correctly. The type and extent of the damage also determine what tools and equipment are required to restore your property.

What are the consequences of not repairing water damage?

This answer will vary depending on the size of the property and the areas affected by water damage. However, the longer the water is ignored, the more lasting effects will compile. Water can lead to mold growth, which in itself is its own form of property damage and can lead to major health side effects. Musty odors, stains, possible electric damage, and more are possibilities the longer the damage goes unchecked. Furthermore, the water can create structural damage to the home and its foundation, making the property unsafe. In all cases, you should mitigate water damage as soon as possible to prevent the situation from getting worse and almost certainly more costly.

Do all restoration companies charge the same rates?

• If your insurance company covers the loss, then professional restoration companies use a standard pricing system, and prices will be very similar for the same amount of work.
• If the loss is not covered by insurance or decide not to file a claim, the restoration company may change the pricing to fit the situation and your specific needs best.

Contact Your Local PuroClean Office For Water Damage Restoration Services

To learn more about water damage insurance, see Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage? and Black Mold Insurance Claims – What You Need to Know. For professional water damage restoration or mold remediation, contact your local PuroClean office.