Water Damage in the Home: Why Is Restoration So Expensive?

Water damage is one of the most common and potentially damaging issues you’ll face as a homeowner. While a fire in your home is destructive and, of course, dangerous, water damage comes with its own set of serious problems. You may think you can handle the cleanup yourself and if it’s a very small amount of water, you probably can. But for extensive water damage — whether it’s from an overflowing toilet, a burst pipe, or a malfunctioning washing machine — you’ll want to call in water damage restoration experts. And quickly. In addition to damaging your furnishings, electrical wiring, and the structure of your house, residential water damage can pose several health and safety risks to you and your family.

Why You Need Restoration Experts

A professional water damage team will not only mitigate the initial damage by removing the visible water but will minimize any secondary damage. If you experience a leak or overflow of water, the moisture will seep into flooring, walls, and other hard-to-reach areas. This unwanted moisture creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. And it grows quickly, which is why time is of the essence. Most water damage experts and insurance companies recommend you call in the experts within the first 24 – 48 hours.

If left untreated, certain strains of mold and mildew can cause a host of allergies and health conditions including weight gain and depression. In addition to the restoration team, you may need the services of a mold remediation specialist as well. If your home develops mold spores after a water incident, it’s key to take care of the situation quickly.

Contaminated Water

If you’re dealing with a sewage backup or toilet overflow, the wastewater flooding your home is contaminated and hazardous to you, your household members, and the environment. If raw sewage gets into ground water, potentially deadly bacteria, such as E. coli, can do a great deal of damage to humans and other members of the ecosystem, such as algae, fish, and wildlife.

While calling in the experts may seem like an expensive proposition, it’s really the only way to deal with the situation safely and effectively. After shutting off the water source, your next step should be to get water damage restoration team on site as soon as possible. That way, you can control the extent of the damage and safeguard the health of your family and your home.

Below we outline the steps the restoration team will take dry out your home, minimize secondary damage, and restore your property to its previous condition.

Steps to Restore Your Home

1. Inspect and Assess

Choose a service that comes recommended by friends, neighbors and/or the Better Business Bureau. The mitigation specialist will first examine the whole scene to get an idea of the extent of the damage. They’ll look at the affected areas and get approval from you, the homeowner, to start the cleanup process.

2. Extract and Remove

To minimize further damage, the excess water must be removed as soon as possible. The team will use industrial vacuums and pumps to get the job done quickly and efficiently. (This is one of the main reasons you need the experts.) They’ll also remove any wet building materials at this stage

3. Dehumidify and Dry

After the visible water is extracted from the house, the drying process begins. Again, the restoration team will employ industrial strength dehumidifiers and air movers to make sure all moisture is eliminated, including the hard-to-reach areas. The professional equipment can also be used on the furniture and soft furnishings and depending on the materials and extent of the damage, may be restored to their pre-flood condition after thorough cleaning.

4. Restore and Rebuild

This step addresses any structural damage caused by the water. If flooring, drywall, or insulation was affected, it’s time to repair or replace it. You may need to install new drywall, paint walls, or even rebuild any badly damaged areas. Some water restoration companies can also take care of this part. If not, you have the choice of calling in a building contractor or drywaller or going the DIY route if you’re up to the challenge.

Having your sanctuary, your beloved home besieged by flooding water is never fun and should be avoided at all costs. Check water pressure, pipes, and appliance hoses regularly. But accidents do happen and that’s where a good home insurance policy comes in handy. Professional restoration services do not come cheap but are worth the money, as highlighted above. Depending on your policy, flood insurance may may need to be bought separately from your homeowners policy. Speak with a Wawanesa agent to discuss your policy’s coverage.