Water Damage Restoration and Mitigation: Understanding the Difference

Water damage can happen due to various reasons, and it’s important to hire an experienced water damage restoration company to mitigate the damage. Water damage restoration involves repairing, cleaning, and drying a property after it has been damaged by water. Mitigation, on the other hand, involves preventing further damage to a property after it has been damaged by water.

What’s the Difference Between Restoration and Mitigation?

  • Restoration focuses on repairing and restoring the damaged property to its pre-loss condition.
  • Mitigation focuses on preventing further damage to the property.

Water damage restoration typically involves the following steps:

  1. Extraction: Removing standing water from the property.
  2. Drying: Removing moisture from the air and surfaces.
  3. Cleaning: Removing dirt, debris, and contaminants from the property.
  4. Disinfection: Killing bacteria and other microorganisms.
  5. Repairs: Repairing damaged structures and finishes.

Water damage mitigation typically involves the following steps:

  1. Securing the property: Boarding up windows and doors, and turning off utilities.
  2. Removing damaged materials: Removing wet carpets, drywall, and other materials.
  3. Drying the property: Setting up fans and dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air.
  4. Preventing further damage: Covering damaged areas with tarps or plastic sheeting.

It’s important to note that water damage restoration and mitigation are both complex processes that should be carried out by experienced professionals. If your property has been damaged by water, it’s important to contact a water damage restoration company as soon as possible to prevent further damage.