Water damage restoration is the process of stopping the water, removing it, drying the building with professional equipment and then repairing what was damaged. Act fast: the US Environmental Protection Agency says that when materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours of a leak, in most cases mould will not grow. Airtasker (December 2023) puts most jobs at about $150 to $6,000, with a median of about $2,160, while ServiceTasker (February 2025) quotes an average of $2,500 to $4,000.
- Dry water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to stop mould in most cases (US EPA).
- Most water damage jobs cost about $150–$6,000, median about $2,160 (Airtasker, December 2023); severe or sewage jobs can reach $7,000–$20,000+ (ServiceTasker, February 2025).
- Call a licensed plumber to stop a leaking pipe, a restorer to dry the building, and a licensed electrician if wiring got wet.
- Insurers should respond to a claim within 10 business days and usually decide within 4 months (Moneysmart).
- For storm or flood emergencies in NSW, call the NSW SES on 132 500; call 000 if life is at risk.
What is water damage restoration?
Water damage restoration is the work of making a building dry, clean and safe after a leak, burst pipe, storm or flood, then repairing it. It usually has four stages: stopping the source, extracting the water, drying the structure, and repairing or replacing what was damaged.
Restorers often follow the IICRC S500 standard and sort water into three categories. Category 1 is clean water, such as from a burst supply pipe. Category 2 is grey water with some contamination, such as from a washing machine. Category 3 is heavily contaminated, such as sewage or floodwater, and usually means porous materials must be removed.
What should you do in the first 48 hours after water damage?
Make the house safe, stop the water, record the damage and start drying. Follow these steps:
- If anyone is in danger, call 000. For storm or flood emergency help, call the NSW SES on 132 500.
- If it is safe, turn off the power to affected areas at the switchboard. Do not touch electrical items standing in water.
- Turn off the water at the mains if a pipe or appliance is leaking.
- Before you move anything, take photos and videos of the damage, as Moneysmart advises.
- Contact your insurer as soon as practical, and talk to them before you spend money on temporary repairs.
- In an apartment, report the leak to your strata manager or building manager.
- Remove standing water and wet items such as rugs, bedding and furniture, as NSW Health advises, but keep damaged items until your insurer says you can throw them out.
- Open doors and windows on dry days and use fans once the power is safe.
- Call a water damage restorer to measure moisture and set up drying equipment.
Never use electrical equipment that has been under water until a licensed electrician has checked it. In homes built or renovated before 1990, wet or broken wall and ceiling sheeting may contain asbestos, so do not cut, sand or break it up yourself.
Should you call a plumber or a water damage restorer?
Usually both, in that order: a plumber stops the water, then a restorer dries the building. In NSW, plumbing and drainage work needs a licensed plumber at any price.
| Situation | Call first | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Burst or leaking pipe | Licensed plumber | Restorer to dry floors, walls and cavities |
| Sewage overflow or blocked drain | Licensed plumber or drainer | Restorer for Category 3 clean-up |
| Storm water through the roof | NSW SES (132 500) for emergency help | Roofer for repairs, restorer for drying |
| Wet power points, lights or switchboard | Licensed electrician | Restorer once power is safe |
| Water coming from a neighbour’s apartment | Strata manager or building manager | Restorer, as agreed with strata and insurers |
| Wet carpet or floors after the leak is fixed | Water damage restorer | Flooring trade if boards or carpet need replacing |
| Mould after an old leak | Restorer or mould remediation specialist | Find and fix the leak source |
How is a house dried after water damage?
A restorer uses moisture meters to find wet areas, extracts water with pumps and wet vacuums, then sets up dehumidifiers and air movers. They keep taking readings until floors, walls and framing are back to dry levels. Drying commonly takes several days, depending on the materials and the weather.
Hidden areas matter. NSW Health advises checking wall and floor cavities for trapped water and mud, and the US EPA warns that the areas behind walls, under floors and in ceilings are often missed. NSW Health also says to throw out materials that cannot be fully cleaned and dried. The EPA notes that fans should not be used if mould has already started to grow, because they can spread it.
Repairs such as new plaster, paint and flooring should wait until readings confirm everything is dry. Sealing in damp materials is a common cause of mould coming back.
How much does water damage restoration cost?
Most water damage restoration jobs cost a few thousand dollars, but severe or contaminated jobs cost much more. We could not find a current Sydney-specific cost guide, so the figures below are national.
| Item | Indicative price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Typical job, overall | $150–$6,000, median about $2,160 | Airtasker, Dec 2023 |
| Average restoration job | $2,500–$4,000 | ServiceTasker, Feb 2025 |
| Clean water pump-out | $155–$270 per project | Airtasker, Dec 2023 |
| Category 1 (clean water) job | $1,500–$4,000 | ServiceTasker, Feb 2025 |
| Category 2 (grey water) job | $2,500–$6,000 | ServiceTasker, Feb 2025 |
| Category 3 (black water) job | $5,000–$20,000+ | ServiceTasker, Feb 2025 |
| Professional drying and dehumidification | $1,000–$3,000 | ServiceTasker, Feb 2025 |
| Drying equipment rental | $100–$500 per day | ServiceTasker, Feb 2025 |
| Ceiling water damage clean-up and repairs | $2,000–$3,000 | Airtasker, Dec 2023 |
| Mould remediation | $500–$2,000 (Airtasker) or $500–$6,000 (ServiceTasker) | Both |
Indicative only. ServiceTasker is a booking marketplace and its page gives overlapping ranges. Costs depend on the area affected, the water category, how long materials stayed wet, and any mould or asbestos.
If your claim is accepted, the insurer usually arranges or approves the restorer and the repairs. Ask before you book anyone yourself.
Does home insurance cover water damage?
Often, but it depends on the cause and your policy. Moneysmart says most home and contents policies cover storms, including rainwater, rainwater run-off and water overflowing from stormwater drains. Many policies also cover sudden damage such as a burst pipe. Gradual leaks and wear and tear are usually excluded.
Flood is treated differently. Australian policies use a standard definition of flood: normally dry land covered by water that has escaped from a lake, river, creek, reservoir, canal or dam. Moneysmart warns that flood cover may be excluded or cost more if your home is at high risk. Read your product disclosure statement to see which causes are covered.
Moneysmart says your insurer will respond within 10 business days, update you at least every 20 business days, and decide within 4 months, except in some circumstances. The Financial Rights Legal Centre says exceptional cases, such as catastrophes, can stretch to 12 months. If you are unhappy, complain to the insurer first, then to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), which is free.
Who pays for water damage in a Sydney apartment?
It depends on where the water came from. NSW strata guidance says owners are generally responsible for plumbing in internal walls and fixtures such as baths, toilets, sinks and showers, and for water damage coming from inside their own lot. The owners corporation is generally responsible for plumbing in boundary walls and under the floor, and for water damage coming from common property.
Report any leak to your strata manager straight away. If you pay for an emergency repair that turns out to be the owners corporation’s responsibility, you can ask for reimbursement. Check your strata plan and by-laws if it is unclear.
What are the signs of hidden water damage?
Water often travels inside walls and under floors before you see it. Look for:
- Damp or musty smells that do not go away
- Swelling or lifting floorboards and skirting boards
- Stains or bubbling paint on walls or ceilings
- Mould spots appearing after a leak or storm
- Carpet that stays damp long after the spill
If you notice any of these, find the source first. A plumber can test for a leaking pipe, and a roofer can check for storm damage.
When does water damage become a building job?
Once the house is dry, repairs may need licensed trades. In NSW, residential building work over $5,000 including GST needs a licensed contractor, and plumbing and electrical repairs need licensed trades whatever they cost. Replacing a ceiling, wall linings, floorboards or a bathroom that leaked is building work, so check licences before you sign.
Get help with water damage in Sydney
Describe your water damage, with what happened, when, and which rooms are affected, to MyTradeCrew in about two minutes. We send it to up to three vetted, licensed and insured local trades from our crew who cover your area. They contact you, quote and contract with you directly, and you choose who to hire, or no one at all. It’s free for homeowners.
Frequently asked questions
How long does water damage restoration take?
Drying commonly takes several days, depending on how much water there was, the materials and the weather. Repairs come after the restorer’s readings confirm the house is dry. A small clean-water leak may be dried and repaired within a week or two, while sewage or flood damage that needs walls and floors removed can take much longer.
Can I dry water damage myself?
For a small, clean-water spill caught quickly, often yes: soak up the water, open windows and run fans and a dehumidifier once the power is safe. The US EPA says drying within 24 to 48 hours usually stops mould. Call a professional if water got into walls, under floors or ceilings, if it was dirty, or if it sat for more than a day or two.
Will wet carpet need to be replaced?
Not always. Carpet soaked by clean water and dried quickly can often be saved, although the underlay is often replaced. NSW Health says carpet may need professional cleaning or replacement if it becomes contaminated with mould, and carpet soaked by sewage or floodwater is usually removed. Photograph it and check with your insurer before throwing it out.
Should I use my insurer’s restorer or find my own?
Talk to your insurer first. Moneysmart advises speaking to your insurer before spending money on repairs, and many insurers send their own restorer for approved claims. If you are not insured, or the damage is not covered, get quotes from restorers who explain how they will measure moisture and when drying is finished.
What if my insurer delays or rejects my water damage claim?
Ask for the reasons in writing and make a complaint to the insurer. The Financial Rights Legal Centre says the insurer should respond to a complaint within 30 days. If it is not resolved, you can lodge a free complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) on 1800 931 678. Keep your photos, invoices and emails.
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