People usually call us with the same worry: "How much is this going to cost?" The honest answer is that it depends on what got wet and for how long. The good news is that the biggest factor is also the one you have the most control over: how quickly the water comes out.
From simplest to biggest jobs
What makes the price go up or down
1. How fast drying starts
This is the big one. Water caught in the first few hours often stays in the carpet pad and the bottom of the drywall. After a day or two it wicks higher, soaks into subfloor and framing, and things that could have been dried need to be replaced.
2. How far the water spread
A burst pipe under a kitchen sink that stays in the kitchen is a smaller job than one that runs into the hallway, down into the basement and through a ceiling below.
3. What it soaked into
Tile and concrete dry easily. Carpet pad, particleboard cabinets and insulation usually have to come out. Hardwood can often be saved if drying starts early.
4. Whether walls have to be opened
Measuring first means we only open walls where they're actually wet. Many walls dry with small vent holes instead of full removal. See burst pipe in a wall.
How insurance fits in
Sudden burst pipes are usually covered by homeowners insurance, minus your deductible. That means for many homeowners, the out-of-pocket cost is the deductible. Read more in does insurance cover a burst pipe in Colorado.
What you can do to save money
- Shut off the main valve right away
- Move rugs, furniture and boxes off wet floors
- Don't wait to see if it dries on its own
- Take photos so your insurance claim goes smoothly
Quick answers
Is drying cheaper than replacing?
Almost always. Drying materials in place costs less than tearing them out and rebuilding, which is why fast drying saves money.
Do you tell me the scope before starting?
Yes. We measure, explain what's wet and what the job involves, and you decide before any work starts.
Related help
Water Extraction & Drying
Pumping, extraction and drying with daily moisture checks until the readings are right.
ServiceBurst Pipe in the Basement
Standing water pumped out, carpet and walls checked, and the basement dried out.