How Much Does it Cost to Restore Water Damage?

Water may be a necessary part of life, but it can also do a tremendous amount of damage to your property if it gets into places it shouldn’t be. Whether through flooding due to a storm, a burst pipe, moisture trapped beneath walls or floors, gaps in tiles, foundation cracks, a leaking toilet, water damage after a fire, or a leaking roof, if too much moisture is left alone inside your house, it can lead to much bigger problems.

If water isn’t cleaned up properly, and things dried out within the first 24 to 48 hours after the initial damage has been done, additional problems can begin to set in, including mold, mildew, and wood rot.

Not all water damage is equal; water from “clean” sources such as a pipe or rain is easier and less costly to clean up, while water from a backed-up sewer pipe or a leak that’s only found after mold has grown is going to be more difficult and more costly to clean.

The average cost of simply drying out your property from a “clean” water leak with no further damage done or restoration needed is around $2,700, while the average cost of drying out your home and repairing the damage done to areas like drywall and carpeting is about $7,500. Costs continue to go up from here, depending on the source of the water, how much water, and how great the damage.

Types of Water Damage, Common Causes, and Costs!

1. Roof

Nationally, the average cost to repair a roof is about $850. Diagnosing a leaky roof is best left to professionals. Improperly repairing or installing a roof can lead to more issues.

Sometimes, an insurance company may require a professional inspection. The most common causes of leaky roofs are:

1. Missing shingles that often come off due to high winds.
2. Damaged flashing around pipes, chimneys, skylights, and in valleys.
3. Ice dams created by snow melting and refreezing building dams on the roof and causing standing water.
4. Roofs with low slopes and inadequate runoff.

2. Ceiling Repairs

Repairs to a ceiling cost between $325 and $1,100, but the average to hire a handyman to fix sagging caused by water damage is about $75 per hour.

If a pipe has broken in a ceiling, the cost for repairs can be as low as $350 or as high as $2,000 depending on the type of ceiling and extent of the damage.

3. Broken or Leaky Bathroom Fixtures

Fixing a leaky faucet ranges from $150 to $350. A faucet leak, cracked bathtub, or failing toilet can easily become a much larger and costlier problem. A 120-square foot bathroom can cost as much as $3,000 to clean up and repair.

Homeowners spend an average of about $300 when hiring a plumber, but can save thousands in future expenses. More importantly, homeowner’s insurance typically does not cover damage due to ignored maintenance issues.

4. Burst Pipes and Leaky Plumbing

Among the most common and most preventable causes of water damage are burst pipes that can result in repairs costing $1,000 to $4,000. Burst pipes typically happen because of clogs and freezing.

Prevent the damage by finding a family plumber to do annual inspections. Regular inspections and maintenance are a cost-effective, preventative measure. Installing new plumbing typically runs between $350 to $2,000.

5. Natural Causes

Hurricanes and river flooding are common natural causes, as are high water tables and improperly graded ground. Installing a sump pump and water alarm are sensible preventions in areas with high water tables.

The sump pump will pump water from under the foundation to drain it away from the home and averages about $1,200 to install. The sump pump itself will cost between $50 to $400. Also, the ground that slopes towards the basement of the home can lead to leakage in the basement and increased stress on sewage systems.

6. Basement Damage and Flooding

Moisture damage in your basement happens for a wide range of reasons including flooding, drainage issues, clogged gutters, burst pipes, and sewage backups. Repair costs vary widely depending on the cause and extent of the destruction.

For instance, it will be less expensive to restore a basement with an inch of clean water from a burst pipe than to tackle a fix caused by three feet of sewage backup. An inch of clean water would start at around $500 to $1500 to pump out and thoroughly dry it.

However, the price of basement drainage repairs can increase up to $8,500 or more depending on the size of the space and the extent of the damage. Budget more when your space has been hit from contaminated sources, like a river flood.

7. Drywall

Drywall repair cost about $530 on average with a typical range of $275 to $785 but can cost much more or less depending on the destruction. It is used in most modern homes and is found in almost all finished areas of a house, including bathrooms.

When it becomes wet, it typically needs to be replaced. Not only is the drywall itself ruined, but the wet paper backer of the drywall becomes an excellent environment for mold growth.

8. Floors and Hardwood

Flooring repairs cost between $200 to $500. The type of flooring and the length of time water sits affects the costs of removal and repair. Some types of flooring are more permeable than others.

For example, laminates and carpet soak up liquids and degrade the subfloor quickly, whereas hardwood can sit underwater for short periods with little damage. Most tile products are either impervious to liquids or can be cleaned and dried with little or no damage, though the area may need grout work.

Types of Restoration

Beyond simply removing the water from your home, and dealing with the resulting moisture, you may need additional restoration as well. If the water has damaged your floors, walls, or other areas of the home, you may need to include these types of restoration in your estimate.

1. Replacing damaged drywall: $200 for a 12×12 room or $1.40/sq.ft.
2. Repairing damaged plaster walls: $100-$300 for a 4-foot area or $6.25 – $18.75/sq.ft.
3. Refinishing hardwood floors: $3650 for 350 sq.ft. or $10.45/sq.ft.
4. Replacing carpets: $1200 to $1400 in a 16×16 room or $4.70 – $5.50/sq.ft.
5. Repairing woodwork: $70 an hour for carpentry work
6. Mold remediation: $500 for a 10×10 room or $5.00/sq.ft.

Determining Factors in Cleanup Costs

While there are some basic costs per square foot in dealing with water or moisture issues in the home, there are several factors that can influence what your final costs will be.

The first issue is the type of water. Clean water, or water that comes from a pipe or the rain, is the easiest to deal with and the least costly, with most problems costing around $3.75 per sq.ft. to dry out.

Gray water, or water that has come from a dishwasher, washing machine, or other appliances that can contain chemicals, is more costly to deal with. The typical cost of gray water removal is around $4.50 per sq.ft. Blackwater, or water that has come from a contaminated source such as a backed-up sewer pipe, is the most costly to deal with at around $7 per sq.ft.

In addition to the type of water, the amount of damage that has occurred, and the types of materials in your home that were damaged will also impact the total cost. For example, if there’s no damage beyond moisture, then drying out your home will be fast and easy to do, costing the least.

However, if you have damage to drywall, this will cost more to repair as the old drywall will need to be removed. Damage to plaster walls will cost even more, as these are more time consuming to repair or replace.

The size of the affected area and the location will also affect the cost of the clean. A small area of water, less than 100 square feet, in an easily reached location may cost as little as $650. However, a basement that is full of standing water or water more than an inch deep covering the entirety of the room will cost around $4,000 to clean up.

How Do Companies Charge?

Most companies begin charging on a square foot basis with three categories of costs depending on the type of water: clean, gray, or black.

Clean water removal and cleanup starts at $3.75 per sq.ft, gray water at $4.50 per sq.ft. and black water at $7 per sq.ft.

After the initial cleaning and treating of your home, further costs are on a case by case basis, depending on the level of damage done, and the number of belongings that need to be repaired, cleaned, or replaced. It is not uncommon for further work to cost around $1,000 to $2,000 more than the initial sq.ft. estimate.

Repair vs. Replacement

You may find depending on the level of damage done to your home that there are times when repairing something may be the recommended option, while at other times, replacement is warranted. This is largely due to the amount and level of damage or contamination, as well as how easy it is for something to be cleaned.

For example, items that can be removed for cleaning are often restored as part of your total cleanup costs, such as drapes and furnishings, while things like drywall are often torn out and replaced entirely, which can add to your total costs by $200 per room.

In some cases, materials such as carpeting and wood may begin to break down if left underwater for too long. Their state may require replacing if they aren’t dried out in a timely way, which can significantly increase your costs by up to $10,000 or more, which is why acting quickly is so important.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

1. If the water levels have reached things like stored documents or filing cabinets, document drying may be necessary to salvage them. This is offered by some restoration companies, and the number of documents sent determines costs. Rates start around $50.
2. Depending on how long the water was in your home before being detected, you may need mold remediation services after clean up at a rate of around $500 per room.
3. If your water damage was due to a leak, you might want to invest in a water or leak alarm for around $15, which can alert you to leaks before they have time to cause damage in the future.

Additional Considerations and Costs

1. Your insurance company may pay for the water damage, clean up and restoration. Check with your policyholder to be sure; in flood-prone areas, additional flood insurance may be necessary to cover all contingencies.
2. If you find mold in your home after water has infiltrated, do not disturb it in any way, and seal up the area. Mold can become airborne when touched, spreading to other areas, and potentially causing health problems.
3. Always ask for a written, detailed estimate of the work to be performed before it’s begun so you know what will be taken care of, and can make arrangements for further restoration if necessary.
4. Make sure that the company you hire to deal with your water damage is certified with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

How Does Dry Effect Calculate your Water Damage Restoration Cost?

All pricing is through the industries standard Xactimate estimating software which is in within the guidelines and expectations of insurance adjusters. This will eliminate any potential conflicts regarding the price-list as it is generated by Xactimate estimating software.

If you are in Cincinnati and need a reliable flood damage restoration company, the Dry Effect makes your right choice. Being one of the top-rated companies in restoration works, we can help you in flood cleanup and restoration of your home.

We offer top-rated service at competitive rates during events like floods, bursting of pipes, mold damage, etc. We ensure your home is safe and sanitized for living after the floods and take the necessary mold remediation activities to prevent its growth.

Get in touch with us to know more!