Flooding seems to be constantly in the news these days, with thousands of homes and businesses affected worldwide. Even here in the UK, floods have become more frequent as rising urbanisation and increased rainfall due to the rapidly changing climate have resulted in saturated ground and swollen rivers.
In places with a reputation for wet weather - like Scotland, where we are based - flood warnings are becoming more frequent, with coastal areas on high alert during storms.
If you've been affected by flooding, you'll understand how stressful and traumatic it can be; your personal belongings have been damaged, precious items lost, and your home or business is in a filthy state. On top of this, flood damage can take a lot of time and money to fix.
As a professional water damage restoration company, Clean Team Scotland has first-hand experience of this, and we've witnessed the devastation caused by flooding, along with the heartache it brings.
In our blog today, we'll focus on water damage restoration costs to offer an idea of what you might have to pay should your property be affected by flooding.
We'll get to the cost per square foot later - although you're welcome to jump straight to that section if you wish. But before you do so, we think it's important to understand what's involved in flood damage restoration work to see how your money might be spent.
Essentially, flood restoration services can be broadly split into ten categories. Most clean-up companies offer these, but the actual services you receive depend on the company you choose.
Here's a basic outline of the restoration process to illustrate how your flood restoration costs are used...
Most of these companies operate around the clock and will respond to emergencies when required. They arrive on the scene to assess the situation and form a plan of action. They will also identify any health risks and take appropriate action.
They will look for structural damage, contamination and electrical hazards, and any dangers will be addressed to make the area as safe as possible before work continues.
If the flooding isn't too bad but you need to find alternative accommodation while it's sorted out, they'll secure the property by boarding up doors and windows.
In severe cases floodwater can scour away foundations, compromising the structural integrity of the building. Emergency structural repairs may be necessary, and a decision will be made as to whether it's safe to continue at all, in which case expert structural engineers will be called out.
Industrial-grade pumps are used to remove water from flooded areas, after which drying systems and dehumidifiers are employed to remove moisture from the air and building materials.
After flooding, hidden pockets of water sometimes remain inside walls, ceilings and floors, so the team will use moisture meters to locate these and then dry them out using special equipment.
Only when all or most of the water has been removed can the experts begin to assess the full damage and get to work on the restoration.
Salvageable content (rugs, carpets, furniture, appliances, etc.) that isn't too badly affected will be removed to a safe location for storage until the problem is fixed.
Floodwater often leaves a layer of mud, silt, debris and potentially harmful substances, and these must be cleaned up before repairs are made. This is all the more important if sewage is present, as 'black water' presents serious health risks in the form of harmful contaminants.
Health hazards include hepatitis, norovirus, skin irritation, respiratory problems and parasites, so it's vital that the affected areas are decontaminated thoroughly.
Water damage restoration professionals use industrial-grade cleaning solutions to remove the muck and sanitise all surfaces, making the property safe for habitation.
Materials affected by floodwater can sometimes be cleaned, although if they're too badly damaged they may need to be discarded.
Any materials badly contaminated with sewage will be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of accordingly.
In cases where water has been present for a while, mould and mildew will begin to spread, and this can be a big problem.
As part of the cleaning process, your water damage restoration professional will use a range of methods to remove this organic growth and reduce the possibility of it returning in the future.
While the drying out generally takes place before cleaning, structural materials might become wet again during the clean-up. In any case, most buildings may not be fully dry when decontamination and sanitisation goes ahead.
Because of this, the whole area needs to be dried out completely to prevent mould growth and further damage. Any damaged plaster, plasterboard, wooden features and flooring will be replaced at this stage, and problems with foundations and structural issues must be fixed before the work continues.
As everyone knows (or ought to), electricity and water don't mix! Once the above tasks are complete, the team will check your sockets, wiring and consumer unit (fusebox) for any damage and make any necessary repairs to make the property safe.
They'll also look at any electrical appliances damaged by flooding and arrange for repairs or replacement.
Burst pipes, blocked drains or sewage backups will be addressed at this point to make the building completely safe and usable.
Floodwater often ruins paintwork and wallpaper, so this will be refreshed if necessary, and any furniture or belongings that weren't affected or were able to be cleaned will be returned to the premises from storage.
At this stage, hardwood floors, rugs, carpets, tiles, etc., will be restored or replaced.
Buildings affected by flooding often smell damp and musty, even when everywhere has been thoroughly cleaned.
To combat this, flood restoration companies use specialist odour removal equipment, like ozone generators and the BioSweep system. These methods draw out odours and attack them at a molecular level to completely eradicate any unpleasant smells.
Many companies offer practical advice or services to reduce the risk of further damage from flooding. This includes installing a sump pump (for properties in an area with a high water table), improving drainage or setting up barriers to prevent floodwater from affecting your property.
Flood restoration companies usually provide detailed reports and photographs of their work, and will liaise with the insurance company and loss adjustors to streamline the claims process.
Right, so far, so good! We've taken a look at the typical stages of flood damage restoration, and now we'll go further to see what might influence the actual cost...
There are several key factors affecting water damage restoration costs, but one of the biggest is the type of flooding you've experienced.
There are many reasons why a property might become flooded, so we'll mention a few examples here:
This is generally due to heavy rainfall, a clogged system or damaged pipes. Whatever the cause, it results in sewage flowing backwards and into your property. This is a vastly unpleasant situation that can ruin flooring and pose health hazards.
Sewage backup can also occur during other types of flooding, as the system is overwhelmed by floodwater.
Severe rainfall over a short period can lead to rivers bursting their banks. If you live close to a river, this is something to bear in mind, especially on newer developments built on areas of land that once served as flood plains.
Burst pipes mainly occur in winter when the temperature drops and the pipes freeze. Older, damaged or corroded pipes are more likely to rupture, and this can happen anywhere in the property at any time.
Aside from burst pipes, a leaky pipe can also lead to flooding, but this often only causes minimal damage as it's on a smaller scale.
Local drainage systems sometimes can't cope with heavy rainfall, especially if they're blocked with debris. This leads to localised flooding, usually affecting a smaller area, although the effects can be distressing and destructive.
Coastal areas are at risk of flooding due to excessively high tides and storm surges, and this will only worsen as the effects of climate change accelerate.
Those in low-lying coastal regions are advised to take every precaution possible to avoid being affected.
Rainwater runoff from hills can cause sudden and catastrophic flooding, which can be terrifying as well as posing a risk to life. This type of flooding tends to cause a lot of structural damage and can be very expensive to fix.
Namely, dishwashers and washing machines. These can let you down at times and will pump grey water all over your floor! While this isn't (usually) as serious as other types of flood damage, it can be very inconvenient and annoying. Unlike black water from sewage backups, grey water doesn't pose health risks, although it isn't very pleasant to deal with.
Next, we need to know the size of the flooded area. Is it limited to one room or did the water reach all of the rooms on the ground floor? There's a big difference between a flooded basement and a flooded kitchen! We need to know if it's contained within a small area, an entire room, or spread across multiple rooms.
In extreme cases of flooding, upper floors can be affected as well. And those in bungalows or ground floor apartments and flats are almost always worse off, as all of their belongings are on ground level.
The overall cost of water damage repair will depend on the size of the affected area, so make sure you have a rough idea of the dimensions.
However, while flood and water damage repair costs are generally charged per square foot (or square metre), we need to consider several factors in addition to this, such as whether black or grey water is present.
Having explored what services professional water damage restoration companies offer, as well as some of the aspects that affect the overall price, we can now look at the average cost of water damage repair and restoration.
Here are a few examples based on the services mentioned above:
This includes an initial assessment by specialists, emergency water removal, and the boarding up or sealing of the property to prevent further water ingress. In cases of ruptured pipes or leaky roofs, the cost of water damage should be relatively low.
Costs depend on the severity of water saturation and the size of the property. Industrial-grade dehumidifiers and fans are often required.
Thorough cleaning and sanitisation ensure that all surfaces, furnishings, and structures affected by the flood are safe to use.
For clean water floods, this may involve general cleaning, disinfecting surfaces, and carpet shampooing.
For contaminated water (e.g., sewage), deeper cleaning, specialist sanitisation treatments, and sometimes removal of irreparably contaminated items are required.
Costs rise with the level of contamination, the size of the property, and the number of items involved.
Flood damage tends to affect flooring more than most other features, so it's worth treating it separately.
Mould removal and treatment for affected areas depend on the extent of growth and whether structural elements are involved.
Check out our post “How much is mould removal”.
This includes replacing damaged walls, floors, or ceilings. Timber structures affected by water may need extensive repairs or replacement.
Comprehensive restoration includes deep cleaning, furniture replacement, rewiring, and redecorating with good-quality materials. The full cost depends on the extent of the damage, size of the affected area and several additional factors.
This is optional, but many homeowners choose to hire a professional loss adjustor to manage the insurance claim and maximise insurance payouts.
Putting all this into simpler terms to help us understand it better, we can calculate that the average cost per square foot for water damage restoration is somewhere between £10 and £45, depending on the severity of the damage, the size of the affected area and whether biohazard cleaning is required.
It's essential to check your policy to see if you have insurance coverage for water damage restoration costs. Each insurance company has its own rules, and policies differ greatly.
On the whole, homeowners insurance does not cover flood restoration costs unless you have included a specific clause.
Insurance claims can be extremely helpful in cases of flood damage, as the costs can run to tens of thousands of pounds, so it's worth checking the details of your policy and changing it if necessary to include a relevant clause.
In some circumstances, you may be able to clean up after a flooding situation, but there are a few points to consider before doing so.
If the flooding isn't too bad and there's minimal damage, then you should be able to handle it yourself. You can rent a submersible pump for around £10 per day, although drying out your property may take a while without professional equipment. Even so, you must take every precaution when it comes to electrics. Always consult a professional electrician regarding your sockets, wiring and fusebox if they are affected.
In cases where the floodwater is deep and you need to pump water out of the property, it's wise to consult a professional water damage restoration company. Now, you might wonder why we haven't mentioned the fire service. After all, they pump out flooded buildings, don't they?
Actually, they will only usually attend if there is a danger to life or the flooding is affecting a property to an extent that it could lead to significant harm. So, unless it's deemed an emergency, you're on your own!
Also, if sewage is present, you need to ensure that this is dealt with correctly. A professional water damage restoration team will wear appropriate PPE and double-bag all waste. This is then taken to a local hazardous waste centre, for which you need to be a licenced carrier.
At Clean Team Scotland we realise the serious health risks involved in cleaning up after a flood. We also understand that few people are keen to tackle the task, even if it doesn't seem that bad and the damage isn't too severe.
At the end of the day, we sincerely hope that you never face this problem - a flooded home or business is traumatic and upsetting, and nobody deserves this burden. But if you are affected, you need a competent and professional team to take control of matters and deal with everything for a reasonable, affordable price.
That's why, if or when the worst happens, you need to contact Clean Team Scotland.
