Cost of Repairs after Water Damage

Restoration and repair are quite costly affairs. But the worst of it is when the repair is not planned as it was caused by some unforeseen event. How much do you think it would cost to restore your home after a flood or other water damage? Today we will find out this matter, what affects the repair-work cost and how to protect yourself and your home from water-related dangers.
What Are the Main Reasons for Damage by Water?
There are many reasons for water damage. They depend on each individual house characteristics and building structure. We listed just a few of them.
- Clogged sewer pipe;
- Running water from bathtubs, sinks or toilets due to overflowing;
- Damaged water drainage system of household appliances such as water heaters or washing machines;
- Flooding basements;
- Damaged sewage pump;
- Damaged water pipes;
- Flooding caused by long rain showers, hurricanes, storms, etc.
Of course, if you notice problems early on, you can avoid repairs and huge costs. However, in most cases, residents discover failures only after they see damage to the walls, ceiling or furniture in their home. If you discover damage late, water can erode drywall, carpets, show off plaster, and cause other losses. Therefore, no matter how severe the problem is, the most important thing is to fix it quickly and efficiently.

What Dangers Does Water Fraught with?
Damage to Your Home
Buildings suffer the most from flooding or other water-related problems. Destructed walls and ceilings are the most favorable environment for mold growth. Mold can develop on your furniture and carpets if they have been damaged too.
Water can also affect your electrical system. This can lead not only to the unstable operation but also more serious consequences such as fire. The drainpipe destruction is an especially relevant issue during floods. Flood water is the main cause of corrosion which, in turn, causes leaks.
Damage to Your Health
Water can pose a threat not only to your home but also to you yourself. For example, various bacteria and insects are often attracted by standing water. It is a comfortable environment for bedbugs, mosquitoes and flies to lay their eggs and larvae nearby or right in the water.
Mold also affects health negatively. It can cause irritation, allergies, and even headaches. Moreover, high indoor humidity is also a reason for respiratory system issues.

What Are the Water Categories?
Water Category | What It Means |
Clean | It has no chemicals or fecal matter. Structural issues from exposure occur. This water is consumable and not harmful to health. |
Grey | It may contain a small amount of contaminants. It can cause human health issues if ingested and lead to structural damage. Sources of such water are baths, sinks, washing machines, etc. |
Grey | It is wastewater that is rich in toxins or human pathogens. Sources of such water are sewer pipes and toilet bowls. This water can cause serious illness and be very damaging to your house. |
What Affects the Cost of Repairs After Water Damage?
Repairing your building or parts of it after water damage is a necessary procedure that you need to take. However, its cost always varies and depends on several factors.
- The damaged area. The destroyed surface area directly affects its restoration cost. Accordingly, the larger the surface, the more money it requires.
- Water source. Removing contaminated water is the most costly procedure since it is full of various biodegradable substances. Recovery from damage due to clean water is the cheapest option.
- Damaged material. The material also plays an important role. Drywall is a relatively inexpensive material, so it will be the cheapest to rebuild it. However, if your house has wooden floors that were destroyed, you have to fork out pretty well.
- Amount of water. The more water you need to dispose of, the more water-removing and draining works will cost.
How Much Does Home Repair After Water Damage Cost?
To begin with, let's consider how much it costs to remove the water of certain categories. Then we will take a closer look at restoring the building structure to safeguard and remedy all the water damage consequences in individual rooms.

Repair Cost Depending on Water Category
Category | Cost of Cleanup Per Square Foot |
1: clean water | $3.75 |
2: grey water | $4.50 |
3: black water | $7 |
Repair Cost Depending on a Room
Area | Damage | Cost Range |
Basement |
|
$500-85,000 |
Drywall |
|
$275-785 |
Bathroom fixtures |
|
$150-350 |
Floors |
|
$200-500 |
Ceiling |
|
$325-1,100 |
Roof |
|
$350-1,400 |
Does Insurance Cover Repair Due to Water-Related Damage?
Whether your company will protect you in the event of water-caused destruction or not depends on your policy terms. Most often, policies cover only certain events related to water damage.

For example, companies offer protection only for unforeseen events. But if you were at fault for the incident, home restoration repairs will be your burden. Unforeseen events include pipe break or freezing, prolonged heavy rainfall, vandalism, and the like.
However, if the house owner did not monitor the pipeline and sewer-system integrity, the company will refuse to compensate him for losses. Thoroughly read the terms of your contract to understand whether such damage is covered or not. If your terms do not provide water damage coverage, consider purchasing additional insurance or change your plan.
We have considered all the necessary information about the cost of home repair due to water damage, factors affecting this cost and why it is so important to monitor the plumbing system’s stable operation. Keep your home safe and check your piping systems regularly to prevent unpleasant situations. After all, your safety depends on you too.