Whether it is heavy rains, spring thawing after deep winter snow, or even a plumbing fiasco, too much water can put you in the position of incurring flooded basement cleanup costs. Knowing that it is likely you will have to deal with excess water in your basement at some point is a good reason to invest in waterproofing your foundation.
Every Home Is at Risk for Water Damage
Did you know that one in every 50 homes is damaged by water? Over two percent of insured homes make claims for water damage every year. This data is only for those homes that are insured. The number of uninsured homeowners who experience water damage is even higher, but understandably harder to track.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that just because you don’t live in a flood zone, you are immune to water damage. Similarly, if you aren’t required to have flood insurance, it doesn’t mean that your home won’t be susceptible to extreme weather or long-term water damage.
Even when you live on high ground, the plumbing in your home is enough to create a genuine risk that could force you to face flooded basement cleanup costs when you least expect it.
Flooded Basement Cleanup Costs
Accurately predicting the cost to cleanup a flooded basement is nearly impossible. Since flooded basement cleanup costs vary based on the scope of damage and your area, here are some estimates that can give you an idea:
Removing Clean Water & Moisture – $500-1500 per inch
A puddle on the sidewalk that is two inches deep may be fun for a child to splash it, but two inches of water in your basement is not a “puddle” any homeowner wants to face. So, the first step is removing the water. This is a major flooded basement cleanup cost. Factors such as the volume of water, size of your basement, and any difficulties in getting it pumped out will affect the cost for water removal.
But water removal is only the beginning. There is more work involved to get moisture out of carpets and rugs. If you are lucky, the water damage you incur is from clean water, which is what these costs are based upon. If your water damage is from sewage, or is hazardous in any way, more precautions need to be taken which increases the costs dramatically.
Replacing Drywall & Flooring – $700 – $2000+
Carpets aren’t the only things that absorb water. Part of your flooded basement cleanup costs will include drywall removal and replacement. When drywall is soaked through, it cannot be restored. If damp or saturated drywall is left, it will become a primary source of mold problems.
Additionally, there is a high probability that flooring from carpet to wood will need to be removed and replaced. Timing is everything, and the longer your basement was flooded, the more likely the chances of needing to remove wooden flooring since it can be challenging – and on occasion impossible – to fix.
Repairing Plumbing – $500 – $2500+
No home is immune to plumbing failure. If your leak was caused by a mishap in plumbing, you could incur very expensive extra expenses to repair it because these types of repairs are generally costly. Depending on the situation and the extent of the damage, you may lack the luxury of time to get multiple estimates. This can often be the case when leaking, freezing or bursting pipes are involved. You are generally in a hurry to get things taken care of as quickly as possible and get your water turned back on.
Additional Cost of Replacing Damaged Items
When it comes to estimating the flooded basement cleanup costs for your home, it is important to consider what may be stored in your basement. Is your furnace and hot water heater in the basement? Is your basement used for laundry or entertainment? What other appliances or electronics are there? Is there exercise equipment, a television, or furniture down there?
It is likely that all of these items will be damaged depending on the severity of the flooding situation. If the water is tainted with sewage, you can almost certainly count on your possessions being impossible to restore. This may not be as much of an issue or expense with some popular items that find their home in the basement such as holiday decorations, but items like antiques and photo albums are irreplaceable.
How to Avoid Flooded Basement Cleanup Costs
Waterproofing is the best way to prevent a basement flood. They say that lightning never strikes the same place twice, but there is no limit on the number of times water can invade your basement if you don’t have any measure of waterproofing. It is important to take steps toward safeguarding your home, and those steps will be different for everyone based on your unique needs.
Some homes may already have a degree of waterproofing. However, unless you know for sure, you shouldn’t assume you’re safe. Don’t simply leave it to chance and ignore signs of foundation failure. It’s much easier to prevent moisture intrusion, ensure proper drainage and install a reliable sump pump in order to avoid basement flooding.
Whatever the cost of a full waterproofing system, it’s always going to be less than flooded basement cleanup costs would be. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and certainly better than a ton of water in your basement!
Schedule Your FREE Annual Foundation Inspection
The best way to protect your home from winter water damage is with professional waterproofing. EverDry Toledo can help with a FREE 20-point basement inspection! We’ll help you find out if your home is at risk for water damage and which solutions will best serve you.
Contact us online to schedule an appointment or give us a call at (419) 469-5833 and schedule your inspection today!
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