Baton Rouge Water Damage Restoration: What to Know Before Buying a Property With Water Damage

When shopping for a new property, you have many things to consider like price, size, amenities, commutes, and more. But what about past or recent water damage? Finding that perfect property at a great price in the right place may seem too good to be true, and it’s important to determine if it is or not. However, if this location’s only flaw is water damage, you do have some options that can allow you to make a wise purchase that keeps everyone safe and your new investment protected. Here are two things that you should do if you are considering buying water-damaged property. 

Bring in a Water Damage or Flood Damage Restoration Expert 

Water can cause damage to a structure far and wide from what the casual eye can detect or perceive. It spreads quickly, stays, and infiltrates the most fragile and important infrastructure. From floors and walls to carpets, furniture, and appliances, a flooding event can wreak havoc instantly or linger and create further damage. If you have a foundation or crawl space, current water leak and drainage issues, as well as past damage, these can create issues to these structures. Whether these problems are current or from the past, you can be looking at significant repairs and problems down the road. 

An inspector, who is typically brought in before the property is purchased, can determine if there are any issues related to water damage; or more importantly, damage caused by previous water damage and lingering results, like mold, caused by a flood or leak.  If the results of your inspection determine that there is a plumbing issue or further water damage, you should seek the counsel of a water damage restoration expert if you are committed to this purchase.   

Your local water damage project manager should complete a total damage assessment to understand the scope of work. Through the use of specialized technology, including moisture meters, all of the affected materials and areas will be measured. Extraction equipment can limit potential secondary damage and the affected structures can be dried and repaired. 

Determine the Cost of the Repair and Water Damage Restoration Before Making an Offer 

Once you’ve received professional feedback from your water damage restoration expert, you can determine what the true value and fair price of your new potential property actually is. If you’ve already paid for an inspection of the property, you’ve more than likely already made an offer. If water damage is detected, it is time to revoke your offer (possibly surrendering your earnest money), or making a counter offer that includes the full repair of the water damage, or a reduced offer that accounts for the cost of these repairs and restoration.   

You’ve likely already determined the fair market value of the property, and made a competitive offer. If you’ve sought out the advice of a restoration professional, you also know what it will cost to make the structure safe again. You can add a contingency that the owner makes the repairs, or you can lower your offer to account for the repairs that will need to be made. Either way, you need to address these water damage problems to protect your family’s health and safety. 

The expert restoration professionals at Guarantee Restoration can help you assess and repair any water damage to your current property. They can also provide a tried-and-true game plan to help you make the best decision regarding the restoration or purchase of a structure with flood or water damage.