From leaking pipes to severe flooding, water damage is a common insurance claim in Australia. In fact, water damage insurance claims have risen by 72% since 2014.  

Here, we’ll look at everything you need to know about water damage restoration – what it is, what it involves and how much it costs.    

Firstly, What Is Water Damage Restoration?

Water damage restoration is the complete process of clean up and mould prevention after flooding. It involves drying out water damaged property and disposing of any items beyond repair.  

Simply put, water damage restoration involves repairing and restoring water damaged areas of the home as a way to prevent mould growth from occurring.

Basically, it’s the best way to protect your home and your belongings from severe structural damage and mould after flooding. 

What Does Water Damage Restoration Involve?

MouldMen’s water damage restoration involves a two-step process: inspection and removal. 

Step 1: Inspection

Our friendly technicians will come to your home at your earliest convenience to assess the severity of the damage. We’ll also inspect for any signs of mould.  

Mould can begin to grow in a water damaged property in as little as 48 hours. So the sooner you call in a professional service for an inspection, the better. 

From here, we’ll outline the extent of damage, recommend steps for treatment and if we’ll require any specialised equipment to complete the process.  

Our detailed inspection process ensures you receive the right treatment for your situation and only pay for what you need.  

Step 2: Removal

The removal process is unique to your individual situation.  

However, it will typically involve removing any remaining water from your property using pumps and vacuums or specialised drying equipment.  

Once we extract all excess water, our mould removal team will safely remove any extremely damaged items beyond repair. This may involve cutting and removing walls, ceilings and other mould or sewage-affected items. 

The result is a safe, completely dry home free from mould. 

How Long Does This Process Take?

The duration of water damage restoration will depend on the severity of damage and the type of materials needing repair. 

In some cases, the extent of the damage may not be obvious until walls or floors are removed.  

For this reason, the process can take anywhere from several days to several weeks to effectively dry out and repair an area.  

How Much Will Water Damage Restoration Cost?

Every instance of water damage is different, therefore the price of water damage restoration varies upon several factors.  

What Can Influence Water Restoration Costs?

• The severity of the damage: More widespread damage means more areas to dry and more materials to repair or replace.  
• The amount of water: If there is still a large amount of water present when technicians arrive, we’ll require additional equipment like pumps to extract water before the cleanup can begin.  
• If there is mould growth: If water has been present for more than 48 hours, there’s a good chance mould remediation will be an inclusion in the cleanup process.  

Luckily, some reputable companies offer a free inspection and quote. This will give you a clear outline of what needs to be done and how much it’ll cost before treatment begins. 

The Cost Of Not Addressing Water Damage

Failing to repair water damage promptly will lead to severe structural damage.  

This could be anything from warped walls, bubbling roofs, and rotten floorboards, all of which will likely need to be completely replaced.  

Not to mention the risk of a serious mould infestation developing.  

Therefore, the cost of water damage restoration is low in comparison to the long-term devastation it will cause if left untreated.  

Can I Claim Water Damage Restoration On Insurance?

Most insurance policies will cover you for water damage if it is considered an ‘escape of liquid’. This means sudden or accidental burst plumbing, flooding and overflowing toilets.  

However, they typically won’t cover you for gradual water damage, like a slowly leaking fridge that’s now eaten its way through the floorboards.  

To find out more about what you can and can’t claim on insurance, see our article here.  

Disclaimer: This information is general only. All insurance claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis dictated under the terms of your insurance policy. For more details regarding coverage, exclusions and exemptions, please refer to your insurance PDS.   

Protect Your Home And Your Belongings. Book A Free Inspection Today

If your home experiences severe flooding or water damage and the cleanup is too severe to tackle on your own, reach out to a professional water damage restoration company.  

At MouldMen, we can help restore your property back to its pre-mould state and prevent mould from entering the home and damaging your property.  

The MouldMen team will inspect, treat and provide you with a Mould Management and Prevention Plan to ensure that your home is kept safe and free from mould. Call us on 1300 60 59 60 to book your free inspection today.