Are you trying to figure out how much water damage repair costs? If yes, you should check out our guide by clicking right here.
Water leaks don’t just make your energy bill go up at the end of the month. They can cause serious damage in a short amount of time, and if you don’t take care of them, they can become dangerous.
But is paying all that money for water damage repair really worth it? Can’t you just wipe up the water and call it good?
For most types of water damage, a DIY approach won’t cut it. Paying for professional water damage services is more expensive, but it’s worth the cost.
We’ve put together this guide to show you how much you can expect to pay for water damage repair, so let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Breaking Down the Cost of Water Damage Repair
The amount of money you’ll have to pay for water damage repair depends on the affected area and the extent of the problem.
Because of this, it’s difficult to put a price tag on this job. You can’t get an accurate estimate until you talk to a water damage repair professional.
However, the national average for this kind of repair work is about $2,900. While most homeowners end up paying this amount, you may have to shell out much more for serious cases (or much less for minor ones).
The location of the water damage will also impact the cost. For example, it’s a lot more expensive to repair a water damaged roof than a few pieces of water damaged drywall.
Overall, the worse the water damage and the harder the area is to reach, the more money you’ll have to spend on repairs.
Water Category
The type of water in your home will also affect the cost. Sometimes, the water itself can be dangerous, which makes the risk of injury or illness higher for the repair team. Because of this, the price will go up.
It’s difficult to figure out what type of water is in your home without a professional opinion. However, there are three different water categories.
Here’s a quick breakdown of each one.
1.Clean Water
Category 1, or clean water, is safe, drinkable water that doesn’t pose any health risk to you or the water damage professionals.
This water usually leaks from sink faucets, toilets, plumbing pipes, water heaters, etc. Rainwater leaking into your home through the roof also falls under category 1.
Just because this water is “safe” doesn’t mean you should relax and let it sit for too long. If you don’t take care of this type of water damage in time, the water can turn into category 2.
Clean water is the cheapest type of water damage to repair. You’ll only have to pay about $3.75 per square foot for the cleanup process (any other repairs will cost extra).
2.Grey Water
Category 2 water is known as grey water. This water is slightly more dangerous than clean water, but it only poses a low risk of harm or illness to humans.
For example, this water might contain detergents or some mild contaminants.
Grey water can get into your home through a leaking dishwasher (full of detergent), a leaking washing machine (again, mixed with detergent), a leaking toilet (that’s full of urine), etc.
Because of the added risk of this water, you’ll have to pay extra for the cleanup, at least $4.50.
You need to get someone like Protegrity Restoration out to get rid of this water as quickly as possible. Otherwise, it could turn into black water.
3. Black Water
Category 3, or black water, is the most dangerous type of water damage. This type of water is full of bacteria and contaminants that can cause serious illness or, in the most extreme cases, even death. A restoration water damage company will need to use special equipment when cleaning up black water, so the price starts at about $7 per square foot (but it may be even more expensive).
You should never let this water sit in your home for extended periods. The longer you wait, the worse (and more dangerous) it will get.
The repairs for this type of water damage will also be more expensive than average, as you will be required to hire specialized repair services to properly restore your home. According to experts, effective water damage repair will not only involve removing the water but also thoroughly drying and disinfecting affected areas to prevent mold and further damage. Anything that absorbs black water, such as drywall, carpet, flooring, furniture, etc. is no longer safe for your home. You’ll have to replace everything instead of making simple repairs.
The causes of black water include things like sewer leaks or flooding from outdoor sources, such as a lake.
Water Damage Class
After examining your home, a water damage professional will probably give you a “class” that describes the extent of the problem.
Again, the class of water damage has a direct impact on the price of the cleanup.
Here’s a quick look at the different classes and what they mean.
- Class 1: the water damage only affects a small part of the room
- Class 2: the water damage affects the entire room, including about 12 inches of the walls
- Class 3: the water damage affects everything in the room, including the floors, walls, ceilings, etc.
- Class 4: the water damage is extensive and completely saturates everything, including bricks and stone
The smaller the damage, the less you’ll have to pay. Because of this, it will cost you a lot more to repair class 4 water damage than it will to repair class 1 or 2 water damage.
Why Paying for Water Damage Repair Is Always Worth the Cost
No matter how much your water damage repair costs, it’s always worth paying the price and getting it cleaned up.
Leaving water damage in your home can cause mold growth, which will turn your home into an unhealthy living environment.
And if you don’t find and fix the source of the water damage, it can happen again.
Want to learn some other helpful water damage tips?
We’ve got you covered! Make sure you take a look at the rest of our blog today!
