One of the biggest concerns homeowners have about water damage restoration is how much it will cost. There can be a lot of anxiety and stress around how much the process will dig into their budget, especially if insurance will not cover the costs of cleanup. There are many factors that contribute to the cost of restoration services and some of these factors can raise the cost by hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Factors that Contribute to Cost of Water Damage Cleanup
There are many different factors that professional water cleanup companies must take into consideration when creating an estimate for the cost of water damage restoration.
- Water Quality- There are three different levels of water quality. Category one is sterile water such as a leaking faucet. Category two is gray water which can include detergents or chemicals and level three is hazardous to water such as sewage or floodwaters. Category three cleanup is much more expensive than category one.
- The severity of Damage- The most obvious factor that contributes to the cost of water damage restoration is how severe the damage is. The amount of time the water has been standing as well as how much water is in the home will have the biggest effect on damage severity.
- Additional Services- If there are additional services needed to complete the cleanup successfully such as mold remediation, carpet replacement, drywall repair, and more the cost of the restoration will rise significantly.
- Location of the Water Damage- The process to clean up water damage can vary depending on the location of the damage. Floods on the second floor of a home may cause more damage than floods that happen in basements.
Oftentimes homeowner’s insurance and rental insurance can help pay for the costs of water damage restoration, but it is important to make sure you know the costs to you upfront. Make sure to ask for a complete estimate and partner with your insurance company on their preferred vendors to help lower the costs for yourself.
Water Damage Restoration | What Homeowners Need to Know About Sewage Cleanup
When homeowners encounter a sewage backup in their homes the situation should always consider an emergency that must have professional remediation. A company that does water damage restoration will always need to be one of the first phone calls you make when you have a sewage mess in your home because the waste is hazardous and can pose major health risks. Luckily, these cleanup companies can get your home safe for moving back in quickly.
Who is Responsible for Sewage Cleanup?
Depending on the cause of the sewer backup in your home, the city may be partially or fully responsible for fixing the sewage damage. However, the in-home water damage restoration usually lands on the homeowners. Sometimes your insurance company will cover these costs so make them your first call.
Steps to Sewage Cleanup
Water damage restoration companies will all complete similar steps to completing your sewage cleanup, but the process will also depend on the extent of the damage.
- Removal of Black Water- The sewage cleanup companies will start with removing the black water (sewage) from the home. Water damage restoration professionals have commercial suction machines that can drain the waste from the home in a safe and sanitary manner.
- Drying Out- After all water is gone from the property the walls and floors will need to be completely dried out. Commercial fans and dehumidifiers will speed up the process along with open windows.
- Deep Cleaning and Sanitizing- After the room is dried, deep cleaning and sanitizing will need to happen including carpet cleaning, wall disinfection, and cleaning of furniture and personal belongings. Mold and mildew remediation, as well as deodorizing, will also happen during this step.
After the sewage cleanup is completed the homeowners can move freely about their homes or move back in. However, they should continue to watch for signs of mold or mildew and contact the water damage restoration company again immediately if they notice anything.
