If you’re fortunate enough to survive a water damage event, you still have a mess to clean up. Water mitigation is the first step in restoring your property, as it stops the damage from worsening. After successful mitigation, you can focus on water damage restoration to get your property back to the way it was before the event.
A restoration services company has the equipment and experience to deal with the devastation left by water damage. Appalachian Restoration and Cleaning has made the water damage mitigation and restoration process easier for many homeowners in WNC, and they pride themselves on doing a thorough job, too.
What Is Water Mitigation?
Water mitigation prevents further damage to your property. Water left after an incident deteriorates materials and promotes mold growth. Holes in your building from water damage allow intruders, animals and insects to enter and do more damage.
Starting mitigation as soon as possible after a water problem gives you the best chance to fully restore your property. Expert mitigation saves you money on restoration and gets you closer to having your life back to normal. Measures to take during water mitigation include:
- Removing furniture, flooring, drywall and other materials
- Cleaning and disinfecting items that can be saved
- Checking the stability of the building
- Getting rid of any water and drying the building with air movers and dehumidifiers
- Securing the building by boarding up windows and installing tarps
The building has to be dried out before beginning the restoration process. If you started restoration work before mitigation, you trap water in the building, causing more problems later.
What Is Water Damage Restoration?
Water damage restoration focuses on repairing the damage to your property caused by a water accident. Items can deteriorate between water mitigation and damage restoration. At the start of restoration, you assess which materials are salvageable. The next steps of water damage restoration include:
- Fixing structural damage in the foundation, walls and roof
- Repairing plumbing and electrical issues
- Eliminating mold or pest infestations
- Replacing damaged siding, windows, gutters and other outdoor materials
- Testing for moisture and humidity to ensure the building is ready for interior restoration
- Installing new drywall, flooring and other indoor materials
The goal of restoration is to get the building ready to be occupied with the same functionality as before the damage. Some materials are reused after a water incident. But it’s often more economical to buy new materials.
Do Restoration Services Handle Mitigation and Restoration?
Yes, restoration services are experts in both water damage mitigation and restoration. Restoration services use mitigation techniques that make your restoration easier and turn out better.
Mitigation is performed entirely by a restoration service. In many instances, water damage restoration requires other tradespeople like plumbers and electricians to do specialized work. Your restoration service plans and organizes the entire restoration process.
Having a trusted restoration service on your side allows you to focus on taking care of yourself after a water problem. Appalachian Restoration & Cleaning understands the challenges you face from water damage. Contact us 24/7.
