Whether due to a catastrophic flood or a small leak, the impact of water damage can be severe. Around 14,000 people are estimated to encounter water damage every day in the US. It can cause structural damage, reduce property value, disrupt business continuity, and cause health effects due to the growth of mold. Reports state that insurance companies paid $13 billion in water damage claims in 2017.
Considering the damage to property and the costs, preventing water damage by prompt repairs and routine maintenance is better. Insurance might cover some water damage costs, but only water damage due to sudden and accidental costs. Insurance can be denied when water damage is caused by a lack of maintenance or negligence in carrying out repairs when needed. Emergency Relief Pros Restoration Remediation Reconstruction is based in Cary, Illinois. and provides emergency water damage restoration services. In this article, Emergency Relief Pros Restoration Remediation Reconstruction explains how much water damage restoration costs based on various factors. The factors affecting water damage restoration costs include the type and source of water that is causing the damage, the area affected, how much water exposure has occurred, etc.
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Factors Influencing The Cost Of Water Damage Restoration
1. Categories Of Water Damage
There are 3 types of water damage.
Category 1 Water Damage: Clean Water Damage
This is the least severe water damage according to the IICRC. This involves "clean water" that is from broken pipes and water supply lines. This water is free from sewage and toxins and the items affected can be dried out and cleaned easily. This category of water damage is the least expensive to repair.
Category 2 Water Damage: Gray Water Damage
This type of water damage is caused by "gray water" from appliances like washing machines and sump pump backups. It can contain contaminants like detergents or chemicals. Exposure to gray water may or may not cause harm to humans, but affected items need to be removed and disinfected.
Category 3 Water Damage: Black Water Damage
Black water includes sewage, flood waters, seawater, river, and groundwater. This category of water damage is the most expensive to repair as it contains microorganisms, harmful contaminants, or debris. Water damage restoration due to black water is best handled by a water damage restoration company.
2. Area Affected
The area affected and which part of the house is affected will impact the cost of water damage restoration. For instance, water damage in the basement is more expensive to repair than that in the bathrooms. The materials present in the area affected will also determine the extent of water damage and the cost of restoration. Water damage will be different for different flooring materials like vinyl, carpet, or tiles.
3. Type Of Damage
Cosmetic Damage - is the damage that does not affect the structural integrity but spoils the appearance of the building. For example, paint or wallpaper can be damaged without any impact on the strength of the wall.
Structural Damage - the walls, roof, or foundation of a house can sustain damage from exposure to water. Repair costs can be quite high when there is structural damage.
Mold - exposure to water can cause mold growth in buildings. After water damage, the need for mold removal may arise, and this can be expensive. Mold remediation involves inspection, mold removal, and cleaning and disinfection to ensure mold will not grow.
Electrical Damage - electrical wiring, components, and equipment can be damaged after exposure to water. Electrical damage can be dangerous and require the replacement of wires.
Miscellaneous damage - is damage caused to various objects like furniture and furnishing, documents, clothing, electronic devices, etc. As these need repair or replacement the costs of water damage restoration rise too.
Living Arrangement Costs - may be incurred when families have to move out during water damage restoration. Business owners may lose business if they shut down for repair after water damage. Alternative arrangements done to maintain business continuity will also add to expenses.
4. Class of Water Damage
The cost associated with water damage increases according to the class. There are 4 classes of water damage.
Class 1 - A very small area of the property is subject to water damage. The absorbed water is also minimal.
Class 2 - There is minor structural damage to the floors and walls caused by the surrounding water. Minor repairs may be needed.
Class 3 - The ceilings and walls are affected by water damage and repair or replacement is needed. This is usually caused by top to down water damage like a leaking roof or burst pipe on the upper floor.
Class 4 - The structural integrity of the building is compromised and large areas of it are affected by water intrusion. Class 4 water damage incurs the highest water damage restoration cost.
5. Location
The locality where the property is will influence accessibility, availability, and cost of materials and labor.
6. Workmanship
Water damage will need labor for water damage restoration. The cost of labor is dependent on the region, amount of work hours, the extent of damage, what kinds of specialized equipment are needed, experience and technical knowledge that is required, etc.
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Water damage restoration cost is variable and is difficult to put within a bracket. Water damage restoration professionals usually offer cost estimates for individual customers based on an assessment to evaluate the damage. Homeowners may have insurance coverage and may have to pay only the deductible depending on the type of water damage. To ensure efficient water damage restoration and prevent further damage leading to more expenses, it is best to hire a professional water damage restoration company. Emergency Relief Pros Restoration Remediation Reconstruction offers water damage restoration in locations across Illinois, including in Lakewood, IL. In case of water damage emergencies, they can be contacted by dialing (847) 282-0302.
