How much does water removal cost?

Flooding, leaks and burst pipes could leave you quite literally up to your knees in water. When that happens, removing the water can be a challenge – one best left to the professionals.

In this guide, we look at the average water removal cost in the UK. In addition, we'll also look at how much water damage restoration costs.

Keep reading to find out more.

How much does water removal cost?

Generally, this will depend on factors such as the extent of the damage (more on this later). That means it can be difficult to get an exact figure for how much your water removal cost will be.

Water mitigation costs

Water mitigation is the term used to describe the process of stopping a leak or source of floodwater, removing the water, and drying out the property.

Below are some average figures for various water removal costs associated with water mitigation in the UK:

Paying for water removal can be a little expensive, however, it’s the only way to have peace of mind that you deal with every drop of water.

The average water removal cost is £2,000.

Water extraction cost

Water can be extracted from wood floors, carpets, sofas and other home furnishings.

In some cases, this is a simple job but can be time-consuming and will need professional equipment. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get help from a professional local water clean-up service.

The average water extraction cost is £600

How much does water extraction cost per square foot?

For an accurate cost of water extraction in your area, we recommend contacting local water clean-up services near you.

Water damage restoration costs

Removing water after a flood is just the first step of the process. You then need to sort out the repairs.

Below we look at various average restoration costs related to water damage in the UK.

How much does water damage restoration cost?

The reality is that the total cost of water damage restoration can vary massively, depending on the extent of the flooding and the water damage caused.

As a rough guide, you can expect water damage restoration costs to be anywhere in the region of £500 - £5,000.

How much does it cost to remove water from walls?

When water seeps into walls, the most important first step is to locate the source of the water. Once you're confident that's been addressed you can start to dry out the walls.

Depending on how much water has soaked into the walls, you may be able to let the walls dry naturally.

However after a flood, for example, your walls may need the help of a heater and dehumidifier in the room. They will help speed up the drying process.

The average cost for hiring a dehumidifieris around £35 - £133 per week.

How much does it cost to fix a flooded basement?

If you have a basement in your home and it's suffered flooding, the average basement flood clean-up cost is around from £5,000.

The total price you pay for your basement flood clean-up with depends on several factors, which we've listed below:

Basement flood clean-up costs

Here are some of the costs that you'll need to budget for when it comes to your basement flood clean-up:

• Removing water from the floor and walls

• Removing damaged materials and debris

• Drying out your basement

• Repairing or replacing the floor

• Repairing the walls

• Cost of materials

• Installing floodproofing measures for the future

How do I find flooded basement clean-up companies near me?

Our request a quote feature is perfect for getting quotes. You post details about the flood clean-up work you need doing and we'll get local tradespeople to contact you directly.

Alternatively, enter your postcode in the box below and search our online directory of approved local tradespeople.

How much does floor restoration cost?

Flooring often suffers when there's flood or other water damage, which means you'll need to restore the floors afterwards.

Below are some of the average floor restoration costs per square metre for wooden floors in the UK:

• Remove carpet (if necessary)– £10 per m2

• Floor sanding & refinishing – £42 per m2

• Floor stain – £13 per m2

• Restoration labour – £40 per hour

To find out more check out our guide to wood floor restoration costs.

How much does a water damage assessment cost?

The first step in dealing with water damage is carrying out a water damage assessment.

The results from this survey will help you understand the extent of the damage and what needs to be done to fix it.

The average water damage assessment cost in the UK is around .

How much does carpet water damage repair cost?

When a carpet is damaged by water, the most common action is to remove all of the affected carpet and replace it.

The average cost to remove and replace carpet in a house is around £39.50 - £76.50 per m2.

If you're looking for more details, take a look at our handy guide to carpet replacement costs.

Costs of mould and water damage repair

Mould is a common problem after there's been water damage. Thankfully, mould removal is fairly straightforward – especially when carried out by a professional.

The average mould removal cost in the UK is about £25 - £35 per hour or roughly £200 - £400 per room.

How much does flood damage house repair cost?

The repair cost after flood damage in your house can vary hugely, depending on the extent of the damage and the size of the house.

As a rough guide, flood damage house repair costs can be anywhere in the region of .

Flood pump hire costs

If you're planning to try and deal with flood water yourself, you'll need to hire a flood pump.

The average flood pump hire costs vary depending on the type of pump, length of hire, and where you live.

That said, you can expect to pay around to hire a flood pump.

Other common water removal costs

Cost to pump water out of the basement

Removing water from a basement can be tricky due to it being located underground. Specialist pumps will be needed but they come at a cost. Thankfully, although it may be difficult, it’s possible to remove water from a basement.

The average cost to pump water out of a basement is £2,000.

Flooded basement clean-up cost

As basements are situated below your home, water will be more likely to collect there. Once water has been pumped out of your basement you will probably want to clean up the damage and lasting effects of the flood.

The average flooded basement clean-up cost starts from £5,000.

Plumber hire and emergencies

If the cause of your water damage is something that can be fixed such as a leaky pipe or damaged sink, hiring a plumber should be your first port of call.

Plumbers can repair a wide range of household fixtures and charge on average £50 an hour.

If you have an emergency, for example, a burst pipe, you can expect to pay an emergency drainage call-out fee. On average, this will be around from £165.

Factors affecting water removal cost after a flood

Here are some of the main factors that will have the greatest effect on your water extraction cost:

• Size of area: The larger the area to be cleaned up, the longer the job will take and the higher the price will be

• Amount of water: From tiny drips to huge floods, the amount of water to be removed will affect your water removal cost. The more water, the higher the cost

• Cause of water damage: Leaky pipes, storms or rising damp will all have different removal prices

• Type of water: Excess water in your home may be classified as clean, grey or black (please see the below FAQs for more information). Each type of water will have a different clean-up price

• Repair or replace: When it comes to your possessions, it may be possible to repair those with small areas of damage. Alternatively, if the item is too damaged, you may need to pay to replace it

• The severity of damage: Homes that have extreme water damage will often become structurally unsafe meaning extra costs to remove and replace essential materials. This may incur extra charges

• Price to mend cause of damage: To ensure your home is not at risk of future water damage, it’s important to remedy the cause if possible.

• Accessibility: Difficult-to-access areas will have higher labour costs

• Water company: If your home is damaged by a flood, caused by sewer surcharge or surface water flooding, you may be able to seek reimbursement

Factors affecting the average cost of water damage repair

Numerous factors will affect the average cost of water damage repair, including:

• Size of area affected

• Extent of the flooding and damage

• Amount of repair work needed

• Cost of materials to be repaired or replaced

• Where you live

The best way to understand how much water damage repair will cost in your area is to get quotes from local experts.

We always recommend getting at least three quotes. That way you can ensure you're paying a fair and competitive price for the job.

Common causes of water damage

Unfortunately, water damage can strike at any time, from any direction and in any place. This is due to the range of different causes of excess water in a home.

Each cause can affect a different area of your property and will range from mild to severe. Below are the most common sources of water damage:

• Leaks from roofs or walls

• Rising damp

• Burst pipes

• Floods

• Storms

• 3rd person causes

• Bathroom leaks

• External surface water runoff from adjacent properties

• Sewer leaks

• Surface water flooding

Find the best water removal companies near me

For peace of mind and an efficient job, we would recommend hiring a professional.

And good news, you're in the perfect place to find the best water removal companies near you.

Enter your postcode in the box below to browse approved, experienced local tradespeople in your area.

Useful water removal cost checklist

• Water damage can be caused by leaky pipes, damp and storms

• Don’t despair if your home is badly damaged due to excess water, it’s often possible to restore or repair any issues

• There are three types of water damage: clean, grey and black

• Hiring a dehumidifier may help with small areas of water damage, but hiring a professional gives you their years of experience and specialist tools

FAQs

What can be fixed with water removal?

Watching your beloved home suffer damage from ravaging by water can be frightening and devastating. As such, paying a professional to remove the water can remove some of your stresses and worries.

Efficient and thorough, water removal contractors will eradicate all traces of liquid. This is the first step in restoring your home to its former glory.

Whether water damage is the result of acts of nature (storms) or faults in your home (burst pipes or leaks), it's important to deal with excess water as quickly as possible.

This will also prevent further damage to your home and possessions. Failing to deal with unwanted water quickly can lead to mould and structural damage.

Can I remove the water myself?

Yes, you may be able to remove water in simple cases with low levels of liquid.

However, for large amounts of water, we recommend hiring a skilled tradesperson to do the job. They'll have the experience and tools to quickly eradicate all traces of water.

Water removal takes a lot of time and hard work, especially if you are doing this yourself.

If you do have a problem with damp, take a look at our damp proofing cost guide.

When tackling unwanted water in your home, consider hiring a dehumidifier or a submersible pump.

These powerful machines suck any moisture out of your rooms. If this is something you are interested in, have a read of our dehumidifier cost guide.

What different types of water damage are there?

Water damage in your home can be classified into three categories, as shown below:

• Clean: Clear, uncontaminated water. This type of water usually comes from rain or burst pipes

• Grey: Grey water usually originates in appliances like washing machines or dishwashers

• Black: The most difficult type of water damage to clean, which results from leaking sewers or waste pipes

Will my home insurance cover water damage?

This will depend on the type of insurance cover you have plus the cause of the damage. Some insurers don't cover acts of God, including flood and storm damage.

And remember, you'll need to pay your excess when claiming on your insurance.

How does water removal work?

Here's a brief overview of the water removal process:

1. A specialist water damage assessment is carried out to determine the extent of the flooding or water damage

2. They'll then remove the water using using specialist pumps and vacuums

3. You'll need to then leave the property to dry out, often using heavy drying fans and dehumidifiers

4. Once the property is completely dry the cleaning and restoration work can begin

If you need help with water removal, get in touch with local water removal experts near you as soon as possible.

How long does a water leak take to dry out?

The time it takes to dry out your home after a water leak can vary considerably. It will depend on several factors including the severity of the leak and the temperature (indoors and outdoors).

It can take anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks.

Also, you can speed up the overall drying time by using drying fans and a dehumidifier.