Basement Water Damage: What Does It Cost to Repair?

Water damage can happen in almost any room of your home. However, some locations are more susceptible to such issues, such as the basement. Flooding, poor drainage and other problems are often culprits, and if you discover them too late, repairs will probably be necessary. However, estimating the cost to repair basement water damage before you begin may help you feel more confident about your finances and assist you with preparing a budget that can keep costs under control.

Identify the Origin of the Damage

Before you can begin estimating the cost of water damage repair for your basement, it is important to understand the source of the moisture. Sometimes this can be simple and obvious, such as when an interior pipe bursts due to freezing or malfunction. Other times you may have to track down the source and you can do so by searching for a few indicators like:

• Patches of mold in one area
• Moist concrete
• Stained walls or sections of floor
• Puddles near your basement’s sump pump

The faster you can find the source of the damage, the better the chances you can prevent it from worsening.

Call a Professional for Damage Grading

Not all types of basement water damage are the same, and their sources may vary as well. Before you can estimate the cost of repairs, call in a professional service, such as United Water Restoration Group, to grade the water’s condition. For example, if the water came from a sanitary source, such as a water line from a basement guest room sink, it would be graded Category 1. Category 2 water most often comes from sources such as a malfunctioning washing machine, and Category 3, which is the most unsanitary grade, originates from a flooded sewer or overflowing toilet. The cost of cleanup may vary depending on the water’s condition, and damage from Category 3 water is typically the costliest to repair because of the unsanitary conditions and safety regulations concerning disposal.

Call Your Insurance Representative

Once you are assured that repairs are necessary, it is wise to contact your local homeowners’ insurance representative. Let him or her know that you have discovered water damage in your basement and discuss your coverage and deductible so you can use them to better calculate the repair estimate.

Not all homeowners’ policies cover flooding, so understanding your financial responsibilities can be an important step in calculating repair expenses.

Document the Damage

Before you have any water drained or mold removed, document the damage. Take photos of the damaged areas and of any items that were directly affected by water. Note the size of the damage, its locale, and whether it is located near any areas that may make cleanup difficult, such as a fuse box or wiring. Documenting these facts may help you to calculate an estimate on your own, which you can then compare with ones you receive from water damage repair companies.

Collect Professional Estimates

Once your documentation is complete, you can then contact a few repair companies to inquire about the cost to repair basement water damage in your home. Ask about in-house estimates and offer repair techs the information you have collected so far. Service specialists will then come to your house and give you an estimated cost based on what they have seen. Keep in mind that some of the amounts are likely to vary, and some may not match yours if additional damage was discovered during a cursory inspection.

Compare Budget With Estimated Costs

Once you have a few estimates in hand, you can compare each with your repair budget to gauge which would be the best choice for your bottom line. It is important to remember that the cheapest choice is not always the most superior one and that quick, slap-dash repairs often mean repeating in the job in a few months. Try to choose a company known for its quality and flexible payment options so you can have repairs made without going into any kind of serious debt.

It can be stressful to consider the cost to repair basement water damage, whether your home endured outdoor flooding or a pipe burst due to cold weather. Knowing which steps to take when forming an estimate can help you keep your household budget under control and feel confident that the repairs being made are ones of quality that will last for years to come.