Water Damage Restoration Cost

Water damage due to flooding can cause real pain in the neck of any landlord. Basements are mostly damaged in this case. The thought of the basement flood repair cost can ruin your sleep.

Nonetheless, you can’t help it apart from doing water damage restoration. So, how much does water damage restoration actually cost? Well, it depends on several factors such as the nature or amount of water damage.

On average, most landowners spend between $1000 to $5000 for water damage restoration. To be more specific, water damage repair costs $3.75-$7 per square foot. Drywall costs $10-$50 per sheet, and drywall installation costs $1000-$3000 per thousand square feet.

These are some basic costs. However, there are more associated with flood damage restoration. Several factors would impact the cost of repairing a water-damaged area. We'll be discussing them all in detail in this article.

Factors That Impact the Water Damage Restoration Cost

It’s hard to tell exactly how much it would cost for water damage restoration. Many factors determine the estimated cost related to water damage. The most common ones are;

• Size of the affected area – the larger the size, the more it takes to repair.
• Amount of water – the more water, the more likelihood of water damage and thus increasing the repair cost.
• Categories of water –
  • Category 1 water is clean and comes from faucets or supply pipes. It is the least expensive category of water to repair.
  • Category 2 water is gray water, and it may leak from the washing machine or dishwasher. If the repair is done immediately, it would cost less.
  • Category 3 water is black water, and it contains bacteria, sewage, other harmful bacteria. It is the most expensive one to repair.
• Origin of the damage – The origin of the damage will affect the kind of cleanup needed.
• The extent of damage – how much will water damage restoration costs will depend on the extent of the damage.

Water Damage Restoration Costs

Generally, if you have water damage at home, you can expect to pay between $1000 and $5000. It is actually a typical range, and you'll need to spend in between this range.

Water damage restoration cost per square foot

The cost to repair water damage vary depending on per square foot of damaged area. According to National Flood Service, you can expect to pay the following amount per square foot.

The exact figure per square foot cost depends on the different categories of water.

• Category 1 or clean water is safe for drinking. You can expect to pay $3.75 per square foot.
• Category 2 or greywater is clean but not safe for drinking because it contains detergent or other pollutants. You need to pay $4.5 per square foot.
• Category 3 or black water contains harmful materials. So you can expect to pay $7 per square foot.

Water damage restoration cost in different parts of the home

Other costs associated with water restoration damage

Different Types of Damages

The actual water damages fall into five different categories.

• Cosmetic Damage includes stained and discoloured ceilings, damaged furniture, and tarnished metals. These damages can be repaired in less than $200.
• Structural Damage involves damaged drywall and plaster, sagging of the ceiling, and warping the floor.
  • Damaged drywall replacement - $1.40 per sq. ft.
  • Plaster walls - $6.25-$18.75 per sq. ft.
  • Hardwood floors - $10.45 per sq. ft.
• Mold and bacterial damage – Mold is a common after-effect of water damage. Mold remediation costs $5 per sq. ft.
• Appliance and electrical damage – Furnaces ($2,000-$4,000), Washers and dryers ($500-$2,000), hot water tanks ($500-$2,500), etc.
• Personal item damage – Water can damage personal items like a photo album, televisions, computers, etc. It would cost between $500 and $1000 to repair.

How to Prevent Further Water Damage?

While you cannot prevent a major natural disaster from happening, you can consider some effective measures. Follow the tips below to minimize the chances of a leaky pipe bursting or keeping your home waterproof.

• Install a leak detector and an audible high-water alarm.
• Check all the external drains which are flowing away from home.
• Apply water sealant to any gaps or cracks in the floors or walls.
• Insulate your pipes to prevent basement flooding.
• Maintain a backwater valve to prevent sewage from seeping from the sewer system.
• Consider a sump pump.
• Check the water hoses connected to the appliances regularly.
• Check the attics to identify any leaks.
• Check the roof for any missing or damaged shingles.

Hire a Water Damage Restoration

If the water damage is slight, you can do it yourself. You can repair it with domestic cleaning products and a little elbow grease for some cosmetic damages. You can also consider renting a dehumidifier if you are confident enough.

However, it is wise and safer to let the professionals take over for any severe damages. Look for certified and trained technicians to get the water out of your property. Mitigate the damage and preserve your property as early as possible.