How Much Does It Cost to Repair Water Damage per Square Foot?
Water damage repair costs between $3.75 and $7 per square foot on average. The cost largely depends on the type of water, the extent of the damage, and the root cause. Clean water damage tends to be on the lower end, near $3.75 per square foot. Gray water damage averages $4.50 per square foot, and black water damage reaches up to $7 per square foot.
Water damage is classified by severity and type. Only licensed water damage professionals can categorize water damage, helping to determine the scope and price of the clean-up and repairs.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Water Damage Near You?
The cost to repair water damage varies based on labor and supply costs in your area. Here are some water damage restoration cost averages across the U.S.:
| City | Cost Range | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud, MN | $1,880 – $6,090 | $3,820 |
| Detroit, MI | $1,980 – $6,100 | $4,040 |
| Boise, ID | $8,840 – $12,610 | $10,730 |
| Portland, OR | $1,230 – $4,980 | $3,100 |
| Raleigh, NC | $1,940 – $12,100 | $6,450 |
| Denver, CO | $1,100 – $4,460 | $2,780 |
| Dallas, TX | $1,560 – $7,540 | $4,300 |
| Reno, NV | $1,670 – $7,250 | $4,150 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $3,080 – $8,330 | $4,830 |
| Los Angeles | $1,370 – $4,480 | $2,750 |
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Water Damage Yourself?
The cost to repair water damage yourself depends on what needs fixing and how extensive the issue is. Minor water damage caused by clean water is simpler and less expensive—many homeowners handle this themselves. Gray water and black water problems are best left to a water damage restoration professional, especially if the water has been sitting for a while.
Ideally, you should tackle water damage within the first 24 hours if possible, as water damage can quickly progress.
Even if you plan to tackle the clean-up yourself, have a professional assess the damage and underlying issues. Lingering moisture can lead to more problems and costs down the road, like mold growth or deteriorating subflooring. A professional can also help you identify the root of the problem, whether it's a leaky toilet or a hole in the roof. While painting over watermarks on your ceiling can make the room look good as new, you’ll still need to repair the roof to avoid future leaks.
Roof and plumbing repairs require certain skills, tools, and experience, so it's best to leave some of these trickier tasks to the professionals.
Water Damage Restoration Cost Breakdown
The cost of your water damage restoration depends mostly on what's damaged and the degree of the issue. Below is an estimated cost breakdown based on what needs fixing.
Roof Repair
The national average to repair a roof is $1,000. You’ll want to have a professional roofer near you come and evaluate the damage and repairs. Common causes of leaky roofs include ice dams, low slopes, flat roofs, damaged flashing, and missing shingles.
Ceiling Repair
Repairing a ceiling costs $350 to $2,000, depending on how extensive the damage is. A burst pipe costs more in repairs than a small drip from a leaky sink. The average hourly rate to have a local handyman fix a sagging ceiling caused by water is approximately $75 per hour.
Basement Repair and Restoration
The type of water in your basement dictates price—and costs can vary widely. A basement with an inch of clean water from a burst pipe might cost $500 to $1,500 to fix, while two feet of water from sewage backup could cost $2,800 or more.
When waste and organisms contaminate water, like from a sewage backup or river flood, you’ll need to plan for more expenses. Contaminated floodwater can cause health problems and requires more extensive clean-up. Once your basement is cleaned up, consider reaching out to a basement waterproofing professional near you to help prevent future damage.
Drywall Repair
Fixing your drywall from water damage typically ranges from $300 to $850, with $550 being the average. If your drywall gets soaked, it’s important to replace it, so you don’t end up with soft, deteriorating walls or a mold problem.
Floor and Hardwood Repair
Repairing flooded floors from water damage costs between $200 and $550, depending on your type of flooring and how long the water has been sitting.
Hardwood floors can weather water for short periods without much damage.
Tile floors are resilient against liquid and can be cleaned and dried with little damage.
Carpets soak up water quickly—degrading your subfloor. Make sure you follow the steps to prevent mold in your carpet if it gets wet.
Laminate, linoleum, and vinyl floors can trap water and damage the subfloor.
Bathroom Fixture Repair
Since there’s a lot of water flowing in and out of a bathroom, bathroom fixtures and plumbing are often the culprits of water damage.
Leaky pipe: Costs $150 to $350 to repair if you catch it early.
Toilet: On average, toilet repair runs from $140 to $300. With labor costs, replacing a tank costs $45 to $300, a new flange or drain costs $145 to $165, and a clogged toilet drain ranges from $85 to $600.
Bathtub and shower: Fixes range from $200 and $800, while minor plumbing and surface fixes range between $100 and $300.
Drains: Clearing a drain clog costs approximately $200.
A 120-square-foot bathroom can cost up to $3,000 to clean and repair.
Hiring a plumber to fix smaller problems can help prevent further damage. The average cost of a plumber repair is $300. It's best to tackle water issues early, as homeowner's insurance usually doesn’t cover damage caused by ignored maintenance.
Leaky Plumbing and Burst Pipe Repair
Repairing a burst pipe and the associated damage usually costs between $1,000 and $4,000. Clogging and leaking are the two main reasons for burst pipes. Regular maintenance and plumbing inspections can help reduce a potential rupture. If you need new plumbing, the expense could run you anywhere from $350 to $2,000, depending on the size of the project and what parts need to be replaced.
Mold Restoration and Removal
Mold removal costs $2,200 on average. Depending on the surface, material, and water or moisture levels, fungal growth can begin within 24 to 48 hours.
If you smell a musty odor, it’s a sign that you could have mold damage. Common places for mold growth include the kitchen, bathroom, crawlspace, attic, or air conditioning vent. A qualified mold inspector near you can test for mold and help determine next steps.
Sump Pump Installation
If you live in an area with a high water table or frequent flooding, a sump pump can help. A sump pump costs between $50 and $400, but with installation, the average cost is $1,200. The unit pumps water pooling around your foundation and redirects it away from your home.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Water Damage by Type?
The cost to repair water damage depends on the category or type of water that's in your home. Only a licensed professional can categorize water damage. Before initiating repairs, contact your insurance company. They may want a professional to assess the damage so they can determine what repairs they will cover.
Category 1: Clean Water
Drying clean water costs $3.75 per square foot on average but depends on the surface and material. If parts of your home or your belongings are wet, you'll also need to cover the cost of repair and replacement. For example, it costs $1 to $11 per square foot to clean Category 1 damage to the carpet.
Category 1 issues arise from sources like leaky faucets and toilet tanks, rainwater, sprinklers, burst pipes, and water heaters. If you don’t clean a Category 1 issue quickly, it could progress into Category 2 damage. As the category increases, so does the cost to fix the issues.
Category 2: Gray Water
Gray water costs $4.50 per square foot on average to clean. Any repairs are costs on top of that. Gray water may contain harmful contaminants and come from issues, such as overflowing dishwashers and washing machines, or from toilet water that contains waste and cleaning products.
Category 3: Black Water
On average, black water costs $7 per square foot for clean-up. You’ll also need to plan for the repair and replacement of items. If black water contaminates items like furniture, bedding, carpets, or clothing, it’s often necessary to replace them. Buying new tends to be more cost-effective than trying to restore items.
While you may be able to handle small black water issues like a backed-up toilet, professionals should handle large-scale black water clean-up such as flooding. Sources of black water include flooding from rivers, lakes, contaminated groundwater, storm surges, and sewage backups. Black water should be taken seriously, as it can pose health risks.
The Class of Damage Influences Restoration Costs
The cost to repair water damage in your home also depends on the class of water damage or the extent of the damage. Minor water in a bathroom costs less to repair than if your basement soaks in a foot of water. Here’s a breakdown of water damage by class, with costs being lowest for Class 1 and highest for Class 4.
Class 1: Minimal Damage
Class 1 damage is minimal, such as a small leak in a faucet or some damp carpeting. Homeowners can usually repair these issues on their own or hire a professional at little expense.
Class 2: Entire Room Damage
When an entire room is full of water, including the walls up to at least a foot, it's considered Class 2 damage. Class 2 issues include removing moisture from the structure along with clean-up and repairs.
Class 3: Saturation
When Class 3 damage occurs, the ceilings, walls, floors, and possibly the subflooring and insulation are saturated with moisture. In most cases, water comes from above, like in the case of a burst pipe.
Class 4: Long-Standing Water Damage
Water damage from long-standing water like a river flooding or storm surge can saturate hardwood, brick, and stone. These materials don't readily soak up water, meaning that if these materials are wet to their core, the damage is severe enough to be Class 4. You'll find higher costs of clean-up and repair with Class 4 damage. That's why it's always best to tackle water damage as early as possible.
