Water Mitigation: What Is It?

Water mitigation, water damage, and water restoration are all tied together, but they are not the same thing. Once you understand what each of these things are, you can hire the right company to address your water cleanup process where it is currently. Many restoration companies perform multiple related services, which can be confusing, but also convenient.

Water Damage

Water damage occurs as the result of ongoing exposure to water and the eventual rot and deterioration of the materials in your home’s walls, ceilings, floors, etc. Water damage requires extensive repairs and restoration, starting with the removal of all materials that are obviously damaged by water. The source of the water damage has to be addressed as well.

Water Mitigation

Water mitigation looks at the fact that you are currently experiencing a heavy influx of water into your home or building. The whole point is to mitigate the flow of water, stop it, and remove the excess water from the home or building. In the wake of flood waters, this is often quite difficult to do, but once the flood waters subside outside, the water inside can be removed. If the water is the result of a broken pipe or water main, mitigation starts with turning off the water, stopping the flow, and then removing all the standing water.

Water Restoration

After all of the water has been mitigated, and all of the water damage has been removed, then the restoration process begins. Everything that was ruined by water and removed has to be rebuilt and replaced. Drying out anything that is still damp and making sure mold doesn’t grow is part of the restoration process.

Where Are You in This Series of Water Steps?

Clearly, you can see that you need to be in one of the above situations to know which contractor to call. Be sure to ask the water restoration expert which of the above services they provide.