Water damage can lead to a lot of problems for families and homeowners. Whether it is due to a catastrophic flood or a small leak, the impact of water damage can be severe. It can cause structural damage, drive down property value, disrupt business continuity, and prove hazardous to health due to mold growth.
Water damage restoration must be started as quickly as possible to limit the extent of the damage. It is also essential that the process is thorough to minimize the risk of problems like mold growth, which can worsen with prolonged exposure to moisture. This is how a professional water damage restoration company can be of immense help. Sometimes the costs of water damage that is not dealt with appropriately or undetected can be higher than the cost of water damage restoration services engaged quickly. The cost of water damage restoration can vary widely based on many factors. In this article Proven Restoration LLC, Houston provides a view of what can affect the cost of water damage restoration.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Water Damage Repair to Homeowners?
Most homeowner insurance policies cover water damage if reported immediately after it occurs. However, water damage due to negligence or lack of maintenance by homeowners will not be covered by insurance. Since mold can begin to grow 24 hours after water damage, some insurance companies will not cover any losses if a water damage company is not contacted and a claim is not submitted within 48 hours.
Some Factors Influencing The Cost of Water Damage Restoration
Types of Damage
- Cosmetic Damage includes stained and discolored ceilings, damaged furniture, or tarnished metal. Here the appearance of the home or objects is altered, but the structure is not affected. So this type of damage is relatively cheaper and easier to repair.
- Structural Damage: The structural integrity and safety are compromised, and these need to be rectified immediately. Warped floors, sagging ceilings, and destroyed drywall are examples of structural damage.
- Mold: Moisture provides an ideal environment for mold growth which can affect the structure of building materials, cause damage to electrical components and equipment, and cause health problems.
- Damaged Appliances: Water damage can affect appliances and electrical components, necessitating their replacement.
Type of Water Causing the Damage
Category 1 water damage or “clean water”: is from a burst pipe or leaky faucet. It is less expensive to clean as exposure is not as dangerous. If left unmitigated, it can damage Category 2 or Category 3.
Category 2 or “gray water”: comes from appliances or sources of water that do not contain significant chemical or bacterial contamination. This damage takes more time to clean up and therefore costs more. If not mitigated quickly, this will turn to Category 3 water damage.
Category 3 or “Blackwater”: is from a contaminated source, like a sewer pipe or flood water from storms. It requires more protective equipment and precautions to be followed to limit the high level of contamination. So it takes more time material and is more expensive to remediate.
Class of Damage
There are four classes of water damage, and the amount of water damage increases with the class number.
Class 1 Water Damage – only a tiny area of the building is affected, and there is minimal moisture absorption into the surrounding materials.
Class 2 Water Damage – minimal repair of the surrounding floors and walls that have sustained structural damage due to water.
Class 3 Water Damage can be due to leaking roofs or severe weather resulting in top-down water damage that affects the ceiling, floor, and walls.
Class 4 Water Damage – is the most severe water damage when a large area is affected, and there are significant changes to the structural integrity of the building.
Amount of Water
The amount of water to be removed impacts the cost. The less the water, the less time and money is needed for remediation. The more the water, the more the risk of damage, and the faster restoration work needs to be done. The drying process takes longer. The entire water damage restoration takes longer and would cost more.
The Space Affected and Size of the Area Affected
The size of the area and amount of absorption in construction materials will affect the cost. The larger the area affected, the more costs incurred on water damage restoration.
What Adds Up To The Price
Labor – the price depends on how many workers work and how long on water damage restoration.
Emergency Services – can cost more.
What can be repaired and what has to be replaced will contribute to the cost of the process.
Equipment needed – if homeowners opt for a DIY cleanup, they would need to factor in costs like a portable pump rental. A water damage restoration company will use specialized equipment, and while this may be expensive, it also cleans and dries the area faster and more thoroughly.
Water damage can be much more devastating than people might imagine. The cost is not only of the injury sustained and the water damage restoration work expenses. There can be expenses of staying in a different place, loss of business for commercial buildings, and the stress families have to endure. It is always best to maintain the property and prevent damage due to negligence. Homeowners themselves might handle minimal water damage. But more severe water damage and damage from black water are best handled by a water restoration company. Mold remediation is also best handled by professionals to limit complications. Proven Restoration LLC has provided water damage restoration and mold remediation services by trained and licensed personnel. They can be contacted for their services for any water damage in the Houston Metropolitan Area at (713) 906-5133.
