Does Servepro Do a Good Job With Septic Tank Back Up

Types of Water Damage and Common Causes

Water cleanup ranges from $3.75 to $7.00 per square foot. Repairs range from $450 to $7,000, depending on the type of damage.The type depends on the source and extent to which it has affected the home. Sources can range from clean water from a burst pipe to black water from sewage backup.

Though a competent DIY homeowner may be able to clean up and repair some damage, it's important to have a professional assess it first to determine the extent and any underlying conditions. Missing even a small amount, or its causes, can lead to costlier repairs later. Even small quantities of moisture may result in mold growth. Plus, undiagnosed causes will lead to recurrences. For instance, fixing a damaged ceiling but not the leaky roof that caused it will only lead to another wrecked ceiling.

Average Water Damage Repair and Restoration Costs

Area of the Home	National Average Cost
Roof	$350 - $1,400
Ceiling	$325 - $1,100
Basement	$500 - $85,000
Drywall	$275 - $785
Floors	$200 - $500
Bathroom (fixtures)	$150 - $350
Plumbing	$1,000 - $4,000

Roof

Nationally, the average cost to repair a roof is about $1,000. Diagnosing a leaky roof is best left to professionals. Improperly repairing or installing a roof can lead to more issues. Sometimes, an insurance company may require a professional inspection. The most common causes of leaky roofs are:

• Missing shingles that often come off due to high winds.
• Damaged flashing around pipes, chimneys, skylights, and in valleys.
• Ice dams created by snow melting and refreezing building dams on the roof and causing standing water.
• Roofs with low slopes and inadequate runoff.

Ceiling Repairs

Repairs to a ceiling cost between $350 and $1,250, but the average to hire a handyman to fix sagging caused by water damage is about $75 per hour.

If a pipe has broken in a ceiling, the cost for repairs can be as low as $350 or as high as $2,000 depending on the type of ceiling and extent of damage.

Basement Damage and Flooding

Moisture damage in your basement happens for a wide range of reasons including flooding, drainage issues, clogged gutters, burst pipes, and sewage backups. Repair costs vary widely depending on the cause and extent of the destruction.

For instance, it will be less expensive to restore a basement with an inch of clean water from a burst pipe than to tackle a fix caused by three feet of sewage backup. An inch of clean water would start at around $500 to $1500 to pump out and thoroughly dry it. However, the price of basement drainage repairs can increase $2,800 or more depending on the size of the space and the extent of the damage. Budget more when your space has been hit from contaminated sources, like a river flood.

Drywall

Drywall repair cost about $550 on average with a typical range of $300 to $850, but can cost much more or less depending on the destruction. It is used in most modern homes and is found in almost all finished areas of a house, including bathrooms. When it becomes wet, it typically needs to be replaced. Not only is the drywall itself ruined, but the wet paper backer of the drywall becomes an excellent environment for mold growth.

Floors and Hardwood

Flooring repairs cost between $200 to $550. The type of flooring and the length of time water sits affects the costs of removal and repair. Some types of flooring are more permeable than others. For example, laminates and carpet soak up liquids and degrade the subfloor quickly, whereas hardwood can sit underwater for short periods with little damage. Most tile products are either impervious to liquids or can be cleaned and dried with little or no damage, though the area may need grout work.

Broken or Leaky Bathroom Fixtures

Fixing a leaky faucet ranges from $150 to $350. A faucet leak, cracked bathtub, or failing toilet can easily become a much larger and costlier problem. A 120-square foot bathroom can cost as much as $3,000 to clean up and repair. Homeowners spend an average of about $300 when hiring a plumber, but can save thousands in future expenses. More importantly, homeowner's insurance typically does not cover damage due to ignored maintenance issues.

Burst Pipes and Leaky Plumbing

Among the most common and most preventable causes of water damage are burst pipes that can result in repairs costing $1,000 to $4,000. Burst pipes typically happen because of clogs and freezing. Prevent the damage by finding a family plumber to do annual inspections. Regular inspections and maintenance are a cost-effective, preventative measure. Installing new plumbing typically runs between $350 to $2,000.

Natural Causes

Hurricanes and river flooding are common natural causes, as are high water tables and improperly graded ground. Installing a sump pump and water alarm are sensible water damage preventions in areas with high water tables. The sump pump will pump water from under the foundation to drain it away from the home and averages about $1,200 to install. The sump pump itself will cost between $50 to $400. Also, ground that slopes towards the basement of the home can lead to leakage in the basement and increased stress on sewage systems.

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Costs by Category and Class of Water Damage

Category	Cost of Cleanup Per Square Foot
Category 1: Clean Water	$3.75
Category 2: Grey Water	$4.50
Category 3: Black Water	$7

Each incident of damage falls into a category and a class. Category determines the source and how clean it is. Classification determines the severity of the damage itself. Only a licensed professional can categorize and classify water damage. These factors primarily determine the cost of cleanup and removal of damage to a home.

Even a competent DIYer should have a qualified professional assess the damage first to make sure no part of the cleanup is missed. Before doing anything, check with your insurance company. They may require a licensed assessment. Don't wait. As soon as you detect any damage, call a professional. With time, each class and category quickly degrades into something worse.

Category 1: Clean Water

You'll spend about $3.75 per square foot to dry clean water. However, this is only a starting point. Repairs will depend on the types of materials involved. For example, carpets vary from $1 to $11 per square foot. Quick cleaning can keep fixes to a minimum.

This type poses no threat to health. However, it can degrade to a Category 2 if not dealt with quickly. It often comes from drinking sources, such as:

• Leaky faucets: also the pipes and fittings under the sink. These can go unnoticed for long periods of time.
• Leaky toilet tanks: without cleaning agents like bleach or bromine pucks.
• Rain and sprinklers: coming through an open window or leaky roof.
• Burst pipes: though this often leads to a higher-class due to the amount of water.
• Water Heaters. The average heater lasts 8-12 years.

Category 2: Grey Water

Grey water is only slightly more expensive to clean up averaging $4.50 per square foot. Again, this is only for cleanup; repairs will vary based on damage class.

This type of floodwater poses some health threat. It may contain harmful contaminants such as detergents which may cause minor illness. If not treated, it can quickly degrade to a serious threat due to the growth of mold and bacteria.

Common causes of grey water flooding:

• Overflowing dishwashers and washing machines, which contain soaps and detergents. Special care should be taken to remove staining or bleaching detergents from carpets.
• Toilets containing urine or cleaning agents. This does not include sewage backup or feces.

Category 3: Black Water

The average homeowner spends $7.00 per square foot for professional cleanup. That does not include the amounts for repairing and replacing items. Typically, anything that can absorb the contaminants in black water should be replaced, including upholstered furniture, beds, carpets, clothing, and all permeable building materials. Replacement is often more cost effective than restoration.

This category contains contaminants that will cause serious health issues and possibly death. Only professionals should handle most large-scale black water accidents such as flooding. Some cleanup, like a backed-up toilet, can be handled by competent homeowners. This type of cleanup and repair is usually the most expensive, often requiring specialized equipment used by qualified mold and chemical remediation crews. It will often require replacement (not just cleaning) of the affected home materials.

Common causes of black water flooding:

• Sewage backups from drains and septic systems.
• Flooding from overflowing rivers or lakes, or from contaminated groundwater.
• Storm surges often cause secondary flooding from streams and groundwater.

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Class 1

This is the easiest and usually least expensive to clean and repair. Only a section of a room is affected with very little wet carpeting. A typical Class 1 would be a small leak in a faucet. Class 1/Category 1 damage can often be repaired by a competent homeowner or a professional with very little expense.

Class 2

Class 2 has affected an entire room, including the walls up to at least 12 inches. Moisture remains in the structure and will need cleanup as well as some repairs.

Class 3

Class 3 has saturated the ceilings, walls, floors, and even subflooring and insulation. Usually, the moisture has come from above, like a burst pipe.

Class 4

Damage from long standing water falls in this class, like river flooding or storm surges from a hurricane. It has saturated materials such as stone, brick, and hardwood. These materials have low permeance - meaning they do not soak up liquids quickly. Time is the primary factor in this category. With a higher cost of cleanup and repair, it is important to get problems diagnosed and solved as quickly as possible.

Consult with a Pro to Classify your Damage

Mold Restoration and Removal

"Most often times when it comes to mold contamination, you'll have some of the indicators of a musty type odor. Often times that's a hidden mold that's maybe behind the kitchen, sink, crawlspace, attic, air conditioning vent. Those are all suspect areas that harbor mold." Jim Schuelke, Owner. Twin Home Experts, Phoenix, AZ

On average, mold removal costs around $2,200. Mold spores are found in almost all environments and begin growing in just 24 to 48 hours when moisture is present. All types of water damage come with a risk of fungal growth. The longer moisture sits, the greater the risk and cost of removal. Only a qualified inspector should test for mold. An inspector can help determine if there is any and if professional remediation is needed.

Preventing Water Damage

Removing any moisture and cleaning up (not necessarily repairs) are key to keeping your budget to a minimum. Water damage remediation and repair services can save up to 40% if done quickly.

There are just as many prevention as there are causes. Being proactive in preventing water damage is usually less expensive than repairing damage after it happens.

1. Keep the basement dry as it's the most common place to find damage. Flooding, burst pipes, and even clogged gutters can cause leaks. Pitching the landscape, cleaning the gutters, and installing downspout extensions are simple outdoor fixes. From the inside, install a sump pump and water alarm. Have the basement inspected for waterproofing - or have some installed.
2. Cleaning a gutter and sloping the landscape can be a free, DIY activity if the necessary tools are available. Downspout extensions can cost as little as $50, depending on how many are needed. The savings are incredible considering basement cleanup and repairs can run upwards of $10,000.
3. Get an annual plumbing inspection is one of the simplest proactive steps you can take. These are often free or free with other services. The plumber will inspect all visible plumbing including fixtures, pipes, appliances, and drains. They diagnose and fix small problems before they become big ones. They can also tell you the best time to replace worn fixtures and appliances.

Insurance

Does insurance cover the damage? Check your policy or call the insurance company to find out. Put that smartphone to work by taking pictures and video of the damage. Properly documenting the incident will make the claims process easier. Also, be sure to check with a pro to see if they do insurance claim management.

Part of a comprehensive water damage prevention plan includes knowing what insurance covers and what it doesn't. Most plans cover sudden and accidental damage like a water heater failing or a dishwasher overflowing. However, they usually don't include flooding, sewage backups, and known maintenance issues like a continuously leaky faucet.

Hire a Pro to Repair Water Damage at Home

Does Servepro Do a Good Job With Septic Tank Back Up

Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/disaster-recovery/repair-water-damage/

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