Professional Water Damage Repair Service - Serving Merriam, Kansas

The average cost of restoring water damage ranges from $2,000 - $5,000, with the average homeowner spending around $3,000 on gray water extraction due to flooded bathroom, including drying and repairs to drywall and ceiling.

National Average Cost: $3,000

Average Cost Range: $2,000 - $8,000

Water damage cleanup and repairs are done in multiple steps. Water extraction and drying efforts, at a minimum, will take at least three days to complete, and possibly longer if the damage is widespread and extensive.

We put together the below guide to help you repair damaged walls. This process is messy, difficult, and is usually best left to a professional. If you're feeling intrepid and want to do this yourself, use the following steps will help guide you.

1. Shut off Power
   Make sure the power to the electrical outlet has been shut off at the circuit breaker. Once you've ensured that the power is off, remove the outlets.
2. Expose the Wall
   With the outlet removed, begin exposing the wall. Use a utility knife to cut off the molding. Use a hammer and chisel to remove the baseboard.
3. Remove Rot
   Remove the existing rotted drywall and moldy insulation and determine the location of the gap.
4. Cut and Seal the Plywood
   Prepare a plywood board replacement. Measure and cut it to size. Paint the board with Hydro-stop waterproofing sealant and cover with a layer of cheesecloth. Cut the cheesecloth at 45-degree angles at the corners to allow overlap. Allow the board to dry completely.
5. Cut and Seal the Plywood
   Prepare a plywood board replacement. Measure and cut it to size. Paint the board with Hydro-stop waterproofing sealant and cover with a layer of cheesecloth. Cut the cheesecloth at 45-degree angles at the corners to allow overlap. Allow the board to dry completely.
6. Seal Underneath the Window
   In the meantime, use the same sealant to paint the troublesome area underneath the window. Apply liberally to ensure a waterproof seal.
7. Prep the Area Outside the Window
   To begin the repair on the outside of the window, first prep the area by cleaning the window sill and ensuring that the weep holes are free of debris.On the outside of the window, apply a bead of caulk to the crack in the wall. Use your finger to run along the seam to ensure proper cohesion.
8. Put Up Plywood
   Once the plywood board has completely dried, put it in place to close up the gap. Place two smaller blocks behind the board to act as a support. The board can then be anchored to the existing studs in the window frame as shown in the image.
9. Replace the Outlets and Insulation
   Before replacing the drywall, replace any damaged outlets. Put the new insulation in place. Remember to put the paper side facing the living area.
10. Replace the Drywall
    Mark off the studs in the window frame with tape. This will help with locating them later when putting the drywall in place. Nail the drywall in place and then apply the drywall mud to the seams. Apply a strip of drywall tape to the seam and cover with more mud. Allow to dry, sand down and repeat if necessary.
11. Replace the Baseboard, Then Paint
    Replace the baseboard and nail in place; prime and paint.
12. How much does insurance cover for water damage
    Most homeowners insurance policies will cover water damage if the cause is sudden and accidental. According to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowners insurance can help pay for repairs if, for instance, your drywall is drenched after your water heater ruptures or an upstairs pipe bursts and water saturates the ceiling below. However, water damage caused by poor maintenance, outside sewage backup or flooding are likely not covered under your home owners insurance.

The material used for interior walls is basically a sandwich of gypsum between two layers of paper.  It may seem rock-solid but it’s porous and absorbs water even more than bare wood.  Wet drywall soon swells, sags, and bows… and supports growing bacteria and especially mold.  So like carpet it needs to be dried as quickly as possible if it’s to be salvaged.  Unfortunately, water damaged drywall often needs to be replaced.

With soaked flooring, wetness wicks upwards in drywall and inside wall cavities.  So it’s necessary to remove baseboards to check.  If the drywall is soft or distorted it will need drying and perhaps replacement.  If there’s a problem it’s also necessary to check for dampness higher up, either by making a small inspection hole or using a penetrating moisture meter.  If wood studs or insulation are wet, they take ages to dry so it’s time to call in professionals.  They may use specialized wall cavity dryers, or simply replace the bottom 2 feet or so with new drywall.

According to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem. Even a minor plumbing leak can lead to mold growth if you’re not watching the situation carefully. Unfortunately, many plumbing leaks within the home are hidden – tucked away behind walls, underneath floorboards, and in the ceiling.

Here, in these hidden corners, the moisture from the plumbing leak and the humidity combine to form the perfect breeding ground for mold spores.

However, if the water damage is more sudden, you can often get it cleaned quickly – usually within a matter of days. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t have any mold to contend with. Only a water damage expert can truly determine whether mold will be a problem in the foreseeable future.

While drywall is pretty sturdy, when it's exposed to water for too long it can get damaged. It may lose its structural integrity, becoming soft and weak. Depending on what category of water drywall is exposed to, and how wet it got, you may be able to save it. Speed is critical to avoiding mold damage, though.

Pro Tip: Drywall ceilings can be a big hazard if there’s overhead leaks.  You may think it only happens in cartoons or insurance commercials, but water can accumulate until there’s a catastrophic ceiling collapse and an accompanying deluge.  So keep an eye out for dampness and water stains. Any bulging or sagging are emergency signals.