What Determines the Cost of Water Damage Restoration in Belleville, IL?

Anyone who has experienced flood damage knows that it can be a pain to clean up. Between structural damage, standing water pools, and mold/algae, flood water can wreak havoc on the home and only gets worse if left to fester.

The first thing many homeowners think when addressing water damage is: How much will this cost to clean up? So today, the water damage repair experts at Pride Cleaning & Restoration are here to talk about factors that affect the cost of water damage restoration in Belleville, IL. 

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Average Cost of Water Damage Restoration Services

According to Bob Vila, the national average cost for water damage restoration in the US is just under $3,300, with most homeowners paying between $1,250 and $5,350. Water damage restoration companies can either charge a flat fee or an hourly rate. 

Factors That Affect Water Damage Restoration Costs

Water damage is a broad category and can result from flooding, broken pipes, backed up sewers, or malfunctioning appliances. Whatever the root cause, various factors can affect the costs of water damage cleanup services. 

Water Category

Experts divide water damage into three categories based on contamination levels of the flood waters. 

• Category 1 includes water that comes from clean sources, such as faucets, sinks, and showers. 
• Category 2 refers to ‘gray water,’ or water that has some kind of contamination and may come from appliances, such as dishwashers or washing machines.
• Category 3 is ‘black water’ and covers water with raw sewage contamination. This kind of water damage is the most serious and poses the greatest health risk. 

Generally speaking, Category 1 water damage is the cheapest to remove and restore, while Category 3 is the most difficult and most expensive. 

Scope of the Damage

Restoration costs also depend on the scope of the damage. For example, water might only cause some cosmetic damage to drywall that is easy to repair or replace. It can also cause extreme damage to the house foundation, which can be incredibly expensive to repair. 

Water damage restoration companies consider five main types of water damage in homes:

• Cosmetic
• Electrical
• Personal Items
• Mold
• Structural

All other things being equal, cosmetic damage is the least expensive to fix and structural damage is the most expensive. Personal items are often the most difficult items to repair or replace after flood damage. 

Damage Location

The location of water damage also affects restoration costs. Water damage might be more difficult to clean up in one location compared to another. For instance, water damage on visible walls is relatively straightforward to address. However, water damage that is under the floor and in the subfloor will be harder to access to remove. 

Presence of Mold

The presence of mold can also increase the cost of water damage restoration in Belleville. Mold is especially pernicious because it can hide under surfaces and may not be immediately obvious. Mold spores can also pose a significant health hazard to homeowners and their families. 

Mold removal and remediation can be expensive because mold can form between layers, under subfloors, and inside walls. In that sense, it is very easy for mold to go untreated for long periods as it grows and spreads. 

Mold removal generally requires an involved process of exposing the growths, removing affected materials, then sanitizing/drying the surfaces. Sometimes, mold damage is too great for restoration and homeowners will need to replace the damaged areas. 

Insurance Coverage 

Whether or not a homeowners policy will cover the cost of water damage restoration depends on the type of policy and the source of the excess water and damage. Generally speaking, homeowners policies will cover water damage repair if the damage was the result of an unforeseen accident, like a burst pipe or storm. 

Note that most homeowner’s policies explicitly do NOT cover flood damage. Homeowners that want flood coverage will most likely have to buy a separate flood insurance policy. 

It is difficult to initially determine whether insurance will cover specific water damage. That is why experts like the team at Pride Cleaning & Restoration recommend homeowners thoroughly document water damage and take pictures for insurance purposes. The more evidence one has, the more likely the insurance company will cover the damage. 

Best Water Damage Restoration in Belleville, IL

Water damage can rack up a serious toll, it’s crucial to hire a qualified expert to provide water damage restoration services. Pride Cleaning & Restoration will work hand-in-hand with the insurance company to get the repairs homeowners need. Their team has over 35 years of experience serving the St. Louis area and dedicates itself to superior customer service. 

Contact Pride Cleaning & Restoration online or call today at (314) 668-1223 to schedule water damage restoration in Belleville!