Each year, thousands of property owners all over the country experience water damage. Emergency water damage typically causes the most expensive home repairs, amounting to $25,000 at the high end.
Thousands of home water damage insurance claims are submitted each year, as reported by the Insurance Information Institute. Professional restoration work is the best option when facing water damage, but the cost of restoration is usually dependent on a lot of factors. ServiceMaster Roswell has compiled these considerations to help residential and commercial facility owners.
What Causes Water Damage?
These are the common sources of water damage in homes:
- AC unit condensation
- Broken appliances
- Clogged drains, gutters, and toilets
- Foundation cracks
- Leaks (pipe, roof)
- Severe weather (hurricanes, storms, heavy rain)
- Sprinkler failure
Water coming from these incidents are categorized into three by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC):
- Clean water: Comes from a clean source, no health risk
- Gray water: Contaminated water, moderate health risk
- Blackwater: Contaminated water that contains dangerous pathogens and, in some cases, sewage; high health risk
Factors Affecting Water Damage Restoration Costs
Repairs are frequently made when water damage is noticed. The cost of water damage restoration is determined by a number of factors, each of which has its own cost.
Water Volume
The extent of water damage is determined by the amount of trapped or standing water. The more water there is, the more expensive the cleanup will be.
Type of Water Involved
Understanding the type of water that caused the damage—clean, gray, or black water—will have a significant impact on the restoration and repairs required.
Size of the Affected Area
The more space or room that needs to be restored, the more expensive the repair will be because it will require more people, resources, and time.
Damaged Items
Water-soaked porous materials are usually not recoverable since they are more sensitive to water damage. It’s possible that some items will need to be replaced or discarded.
Mold Growth
Because mold thrives in damp environments, it can grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours after a water damage occurrence. If mold development has already begun, mold removal services may be required.
Repairs and Reconstruction
To save money, effort, and resources, repairs are preferable over reconstruction, yet significant damage to building materials, such as drywall, floors, insulation, and even electrical systems may require reconstruction.
How to Prevent Water Damage
Broken or leaking pipes
- A unexpected pipe break or rupture can unleash a torrent of water throughout your home, inflicting significant damage. Even small drips can gradually damage your building materials over time.
- Inspect your home often for signs of leaking pipes to prevent serious damage. If you experience water damage, contact a water damage professional immediately.
Overflows
- Sink and toilet overflows can destroy your floors and carpets if left unchecked for extended periods. It can even affect a lower ceiling. In addition, mold growth and irreparable wood damage can result from inaction.
- Shut off the water supply to each toilet at the wall-mounted valve to prevent your toilets from overflowing.
- To avoid further damage, turn off your home's main water supply lines if you can't reach your faucet or the faucets won't close.
Appliance malfunction or failure
- Clean up any appliance leak immediately and schedule it for repair. For extensive leaks, call an emergency water damage cleanup company.
Clogged drains and gutters
- Blocked gutters and drains cannot effectively channel water away from your property.
- Remove leaves, seedpods, and other debris from your drains and gutters on a regular basis. If you plan to clean on your own, take the necessary safety precautions.
Sewage backups
- Water overflow and sewer line backup might be caused by tree roots caught in your plumbing or a violent storm.
- Have your sewer line cleaned out every other year by a sewer technician to minimize tree roots clogging your pipes.
Schedule a Water Damage Restoration Appointment in Roswell, Georgia
Water damage in your home? ServiceMaster Roswell is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (770) 200-5111 for residential or commercial water remediation services in Roswell, Georgia, and the surrounding areas. You can also connect with us online to schedule an appointment.
- Locally owned and operated with national resources
- IICRC Certified Firm in Roswell, GA
- Over 30 years of experience
- Licensed, certified, and fully bonded technicians
We employ cutting-edge technology and techniques to detect the presence of moisture in your home and then eliminate it using state-of-the-art equipment.
Don’t know what to do next? We do. Contact us today.
