Water damage restoration in a home can be a costly endeavor. This service is needed when water damages your home, whether it be from a flood, a leaky toilet or an overflowing bathtub. How exactly does the restoration company estimate the cost for your restoration? The key items to be taken into consideration are the size of the damage, the materials needed to repair the damage, the seriousness of the damage and of course, the type of water.

1. Size of the damage.

Your estimate will vary depending on the size of the damage to your home. If the damage is contained to only one part (such as a bathtub overflowing) it will be less expensive when compared with a flood that may cover an entire floor.

2. Materials needed to repair the damage.

Of course, the estimate will also depend on the materials needed to repair the damage. Replacing a hardwood floor will be more expensive then replacing a carpeted floor, based on materials alone. This also relates to point No. 1, as the larger the damage the more materials that need to be replaced.

3. Seriousness of the damage.

If the flooding occurred while you were on holidays and the water has had time to seep in and affect a lot of your home, the estimate will cost more than if you had caught it right away. As well, a leaky faucet that has affected your bathroom cupboards will have a lower estimate then an overflowing bathtub that affects an entire room.

4. Where the damage is.

A burst water heater, which is usually in a utility closet or room in the basement, will cost you less to fix because of the location of the damage. Most basements will have a concrete subflooring, rather than the wood and insulation that a first or second floor would have. If your bathtub overflows on the second floor, and it seeps into and under the flooring, it can easily cause your ceiling underneath to buckle, making it necessary to not only replace the flooring in the bathroom but the ceiling underneath it as well.

5. Type of water.

Last but probably the most important is the type of water. There are three types of water: the first is clean water, caused by a leaking faucet or the above-mentioned bathrub. The second is grey water, which is essentially clean water with chemicals in it. This type of water comes from dishwashers and clothes washers. The last is black water, which is either flood or sewage water. This water is the most dangerous as it carries bacteria that can not only cause mold in your home, but is dangerous to your health as well.