Water damage can be catastrophic when it comes to owning your home. There are plenty of reasons why water can infiltrate your home, including:
- Broken or clogged pipes
- Faulty appliances (i.e. Washing machines, refrigerators, hot water heaters)
- HVAC problems
- Weather-related damage (i.e., melting snow, flooding, or hailstorm damage)
- Moisture buildup in attics, basements, and other spaces of your home
- Clogged or poorly draining gutters
- Sewer backups and overflow
All of these can be costly in both money and effort. Left untreated, water damage can turn into significant mold growth, warped floors, electrical problems, and even damage the structure of your home.
Of course, it’s important to understand which factors are the most important when it comes to assessing the cost of water damage and whether you should call a professional. Luckily, ServiceMaster TEAM is at your service 24/7 to address any water damage and water mitigation problems you may have. In this article, we’ve prepared a short guide to understand what you should look into to get a better understanding of what water damage can do to your bottom line.
5 Factors That Affect The Cost Of Water Damage Clean-Up
The following are some of the most common factors that affect the cost of water damage:
- Size of the area affected
- Type of water
- Types of materials affected
- Mold growth
- Reconstruction needed
Size of the Area Affected
The larger the area affected by water damage, the more time it takes to restore and repair effectively. The reason for this may seem obvious, but it goes beyond square footage. Essentially, more affected areas require exponentially more time to dehumidify and you may have to work room-by-room, slowing the process and increasing the likelihood of worsening damage as time goes by. That’s why choosing a professional water damage clean-up company is so essential to get back to normalcy before incurring expensive costs.
Type of Water
There are three categories of water that can damage your home in different ways.
First, there’s Category 1, which is basically clean water that comes from sanitary sources. Typical sources include a leaking toilet tank, faucet, or water pipe. While this water isn’t dangerous (as it’s not contaminated), it can cause damage and may lead to electrical problems in certain affected areas.
Category 2 stands for water that has been used in your home. It’s commonly referred to as “grey water” and is found flowing from washing machines, dishwashers, and so forth. This water isn’t necessarily categorized as sewage, but a mix of food, dander, and chemicals creates a mess that may breed bacteria if left untreated.
Last, Category 3 is sewage or water contaminated with harmful chemicals. Referred to as “black water”, the presence of this type of water damage can cause catastrophic damage and may render any affected materials/furnishings unsalvageable.
Types of Materials Affected
Different materials react to water in different ways. Using flooring as an example, it’s important to understand how water may require a replacement, repair, or just a simple cleaning to get back to its original state:
- Vinyl and linoleum floors are generally pretty water-resistant. Only the subfloor may need to be assessed due to flooding.
- Laminate floors can be replaced in small patches unless the water penetrates the laminate coating.
- Hardwood floors may show damage pretty quickly depending on which type of water reaches it, whether the hardwood is porous, and any protective coats that are still in effect.
- Carpeted floors soak up water like a sponge but are usually easier to clean if they’re not exposed to water for a prolonged period.
- Ceramic or Stone Tile floors are extremely resistant to water. Unless this material is exposed to Category 3 water, these flooring surfaces generally won’t need any replacement beyond a simple resurfacing if necessary.
Mold Growth
Perhaps the most expensive factor to consider for water damage is whether mold growth is present. Mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours, taking root in your home’s materials and furniture, creating a hazardous environment for humans and animals. Left unaddressed, you may experience breathing difficulties, memory problems, and even death.
If you discover mold growth, it is important to hire a professional company like ServiceMaster TEAM to assess the damage and begin mitigating any growth before it spreads to the rest of your home.
Reconstruction Needed
In general, a repair is a preferable option to replacement for your home’s furnishings and materials. However, if your home has mold, contact with contaminated water, physical damage from water, or the water has been left standing for a long period of time, the costs to bring your home back to normal exponentiate. Therefore, it’s important to tackle any water damage as it occurs.
Contact ServiceMaster TEAM For Fast Water Damage Clean-up
ServiceMaster TEAM is at your service when you need water damage clean-up. Offering prompt and thorough service, our team of experts is available 24/7 every day of the year to stop water damage from running your home or business. Contact us to schedule your next water damage clean-up today!
