Structural Drying

It can be very expensive to dry out a house, but the price tag really depends on just how wet the house is. Most of the time, we pay anywhere from a few hundred bucks to several thousand.What can change the price? Oh, a number of things, really. For one, there's the size of the house. Then there's how much water actually got inside and how much of that is still left in there. And finally, we have to consider if we also need to repair anything (like with walls or carpeting) that got damaged when the water came in.Sometimes, if you need it done fast, you also have to fork over more cash for just the labor.

Structural drying is a method used to remove water from buildings after a flood or leak. First, the area is inspected to find all the wet spots. Then, special equipment like fans and dehumidifiers is used to dry out the space. The goal is to get rid of moisture to prevent mold and damage. It's important to act quickly and make sure everything is completely dry, including walls, floors, and any hidden areas. This process helps keep the building safe and in good shape.

The process of drying a structure that has gotten wet, as from a flood or broken pipe, is called applied structural drying. Special equipment, like large fans and dehumidifiers, is used to dry the air and surfaces. Moisture is the number one enemy in a wet structure, and getting rid of it fast—before mold starts to grow or permanent damage occurs—is the goal of the trained professionals who do this kind of work. They take a lot of readings to see where the moisture is and isn't, and they have a pretty good idea of how the structure is "reading" moisture that they can't see.

Water mitigation costs a lot because it requires special equipment and skilled labor to remove water and dry out a property. Pros use advanced tools—pumps, fans, and dehumidifiers—that ensure everything is properly dried to prevent mold from forming and to avoid other damage. Even with these tools and the staff to use them, the process of getting a property safe and sound again often requires a lot of time and care to make sure the job is done right. That's another factor that makes water mitigation services expensive.

Water damage is often covered by insurance, but it depends on the kind of insurance policy you have and the nature of the damage. If you're a homeowner, your homeowners insurance will typically cover most kinds of sudden and accidental water damage, like from a burst pipe or a bad storm. But if your home's been flooded or if you've had serious plumbing problems that have been ignored, don't count on your insurance to cover the damage.Most homeowners insurance covers water damage from these kinds of incidents:1. Accidental discharges or overflow of water or steam from a plumbing, heating, air conditioning, or fire-protection system.2. Sudden and unexpected tearing apart, cracking, or sudden and accidental falling of your home's roof, wall, or other structural damage. (Your policy probably doesn't cover gradual wear and tear.)3. Storms, including windstorms. (Floods are usually not covered. See below about flood insurance.)

SERVPRO can charge a variety of prices for mold remediation. How much they charge depends largely on the size of the mold problem and its location within the building. On average, you might pay anywhere from a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars for the service. Factors like the amount of mold, how widespread it is, and what kinds of repairs might be necessary afterward can shift the price around quite a bit. If mold is in an area with lots of ductwork, it's likely to cost more. Conversely, areas that are easier to access tend to cost less.

It is possible to attempt water mitigation on your own, but it can be a bit of a challenge. You first have to figure out where the water is coming from and stop it, making sure it doesn't spread while you're doing that. Then you have to dry out everything in a hurry, using fans and dehumidifiers, if you have them. You have to dry out everything in a hurry, using...

Removing moisture from walls can be a costly venture. Usually, it depends on the extent of the damage and the size of the area that needs to be dried out. If it's a damp wall but a localized issue, it might cost a few hundred dollars to fix. But if the wall and its surroundings are in a state of breakdown, it could cost a few thousand dollars. Costs can also vary based on locale or the company you hire to do the work. Moisture penetration could necessitate a localized fix or a whole wall solution. Compare a few quotes first before contracting.

The coverage of mold remediation by insurance is contingent upon the type of policy held. Certain homeowners' insurance policies might cover mold damage if it stems from a sudden or accidental incident, like a burst pipe. However, if the mold develops due to a long-term leak or subpar home maintenance, then mold remediation is probably not covered by insurance. Checking with your policy or with an insurance agent might cut through the uncertainty. You might not like the answer you get, but knowing is better than not.

The SERVPRO controversy concerns some disagreements and a few problems that people had with a company called SERVPRO, which specializes in flood or fire cleanup and damage repair in homes and businesses. Some customers have complained about their experiences, saying that the services were not always "very good" and that the costs were "higher than expected." These issues have led to some unhappy customers, discussions about SERVPRO in various forums, and suggestions about how SERVPRO could improve both its service and its communication with clients.