How bad can a laundry machine failure get with water damage to a home? Try anywhere between $10,000 to $25,000, and that assumes that the water doesn’t continue flowing until stopped. Why so much damage? Amazingly, water continues to keep spreading until it is contained or evaporates.
As a result, and usually following the path of gravity, everything in the path of where water can go will become soaked. Most homes only recover with home insurance if the damages are eligible for coverage.
Water Damage Can be Pervasive
Water doesn’t just make things wet; it brings problems with mold very quickly. Mold and mildew can set in soon due to already present spores simply needing the right warm and moist conditions.
Once that occurs, the spread continues and embeds itself into the infested material. As a result, fungal sports can become embedded in drywall, wood, carpeting, and more. The only sure way to get rid of it is to remove the exposed material and sanitize everything left within proximity.
Damage in Two Forms
When the water is stopped and the damage is assessed, the cost comes in two phases: mitigation and reconstruction.
Mitigation Explained
Mitigation involves removing everything damaged, drying out the exposed area, treating it with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial chemicals, and confirming the humidity levels are back to normal, safe levels. All removed material also needs to be taken safely to disposal, including proper removal of hazardous material.
Reconstruction
Reconstruction is the repair work and restoration to bring the home back to how it was before the water damage occurred. This involves redoing all the flooring and walls affected, restoring finishes, and paintwork.
Typically, this part has a higher cost, bringing in new materials and labor for construction. However, in comparison, the mitigation can also make up at least a third of the total cost.
Finding the Right Help for Recovery
When caught up in the beginning of trying to rebuild, it’s okay to feel confused. A water spill or flood can feel highly unnerving, especially when losing control of one’s home and personal life.
Bringing in the right help makes a huge difference, especially with experience in addressing damage and mitigation with an expert touch (find out more information here: https://valleydrc.com/).
With the mitigation adequately addressed, then reconstruction can begin with a complete restoration that doesn’t have to be redone due to mold or similar being found again weeks or months later.
Little mistakes can become costly secondary repairs, so doing things right with mitigation is incredibly important, especially with water damage and remaining moisture.