The Financial Costs of Water Damage Restoration
No matter the cause of water damage or flooding in your home, if you have to deal with this situation, you will want an idea of your water damage restoration costs. As you know, you’ll need to fix the damage as quickly as possible. This will reduce your expenses and the chances that contaminants, such as mold and mildew, will accumulate and cause health problems.
Fast action will also be needed to keep your home from developing structural problems. Another consideration will be your appliances. If you don’t have water damage repaired, that could also cause items such as your washing machine to malfunction.
Here is a look at different water damage restoration costs so you can picture what you’ll be paying.
How Much Does Water Damage Restoration Cost?
On average, the average cost of water damage restoration is somewhere between $1,000 and $5,000. Of course, no two restorations are alike so you might pay more or less.
If you have limited damage due to a toilet overflow, it could cost as little as $150. But if your home has been flooded with water containing bacteria and other potentially dangerous contaminants, that could run as much as $20,000 or more.
Water Damage Restoration Cost Per Square Foot
Water damage restoration cost per square foot will depend on many things, such as the amount of damage and location. You’ll also need to consider repairing or replacing appliances, flooring, walls, etc.
As you can see, providing an exact figure of what you’ll have to pay is almost impossible. But, in general, you’ll probably pay anywhere from $35 to $45 per square foot to clean up the damage and perform any necessary repairs. If the job is more complicated, that will be more expensive. There could, for instance, be an issue with your foundation, or you may have a roof leak.
Restoration Cost by Category of Water
One factor determining your water damage restoration costs will be the kind of water that has infiltrated your home. The dirtier the water, the more your restoration work will cost.
There are three categories of water for restoration – Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3. Here’s a quick look at each and how it will impact your restoration costs.
- Category 1: $3.75/square foot
- Category 2: $3.75/square foot
- Category 3: $7 per square foot
Category 1 Water Damage Restoration Cost
The average cost to repair category 1 (clean water) water damage is usually $3.75 per square foot.
Category 1 water is also referred to as “clean water.” It’s water that does not pose any sort of health risk. Most of the time, it will come from a source such as a leaking faucet, malfunctioning sprinklers, heavy rain a burst pipe, or a failing water heater.
Category 2 Water Damage Restoration Cost
The average cost to repair category 2 (grey water) water damage is usually $3.75 per square foot.
Category 2 water is known as “grey water,” which poses at least a minimal health risk. It could contain contaminants such as detergents or other chemicals that might cause problems if ingested. An example would be an overflowing washing machine or dishwasher.
Category 3 Water Damage Restoration Cost
The average cost to repair category 3 (black water) water damage is usually $7 per square foot since cleanup will typically require specialized equipment and experts in remediation,
This is the worst category by far, consisting of a type of water known as “black water.” It typically comes from dangerous sources like a sewage backup from a septic system or toilet or a body of water such as the ocean, a lake, or a river.
Water Damage Restoration Cost by Location of Damage
The amount it will cost is usually dependent upon where the damage occurs. The following are estimates of single locations.
- Flooring: $200-$1000
- Ceiling: $350 to $1,250 or more
- Walls: $300-$2,000
- Drywall: $300-$800
Flooring Water Damage Repair Cost
Depending on the type of flooring affected by water damage, repairs will usually range between $200-$550.
If you have carpeting or laminate flooring, it will absorb more liquid, and subflooring will degrade faster. This will result in higher repair costs. On the other hand, hardwood isn’t nearly as permeable. It can sit underwater for a few hours and hardly suffer any damage. Tile can also be dried with minimal damage, but the affected area may need grout replacement.
Water Damaged Ceiling Repair Cost
The cost to repair water damage to a ceiling can vary widely, from as little as $350 to $1,250 or more.
In most cases, it will cost you about $75 an hour to hire a professional to fix any sagging due to water damage. If a broken pipe causes the problem, the cost could be as high as $2,000 or more.
Water Damage Wall Repair Cost
Damaged walls are one of the more common forms of water damage restoration projects, costing anywhere from $300-$2,000 on average.
When water comes from the roof or ceiling, or a pipe leak or break occurs, there will likely be damage to several walls. But water on the floor can also necessitate a wall repair, especially if there is an inch or more of standing water.
Water Damaged Drywall Repair Cost
Water from extensive flooding usually seeps into drywall, which typically needs replacement. This is necessary because when the backing of the drywall gets soaked, that provides a perfect environment for the growth of mold and mildew.
While the average cost for drywall demolition and replacement is about $550, the cost will, in most instances, fall into the $300-$800 range.
Other Water Damage Repair Costs
If mold is present in other areas of your home, it must be removed quickly so it doesn’t spread and cause major health problems. Mold spores can grow exponentially within 24 to 48 hours after moisture accumulates. The longer the water sits, the bigger the threat will be – and the more it will cost to remove the growth. This type of project will usually cost somewhere around $2,200.
As you can see, water damage restoration costs can quickly add up. Your best chance of keeping those costs to a minimum will be to call a professional water restoration company as soon as you realize you have a water intrusion issue.
Call (877) 583-5337 now to connect to local water damage and restoration experts in your area or find someone nearby.