All about water damage mitigation and water damage restoration
From plumbing leaks to inland flooding, water damage can be caused by various reasons. A water damage situation warrants professional help from a damage restoration specialist such as Force 1 Restoration Services. Terms like water damage mitigation and water damage restoration are commonly used when discussing water damage. It is important to know there is a difference between the two processes. The difference between the two decides the expenditure and insurance coverage for the client.

Here is the clear differentiation between water damage mitigation and water damage restoration.
Water mitigation
The primary purpose of water damage mitigation is to prevent further water damage to property. It is considered an emergency service as it is crucial to respond to water damage quickly. Any delay or negligence can lead to irreparable damage.
The process involves uses specialized equipment and techniques to minimize the amount of loss, such as:
- Removing damaged furniture and materials, including drywall and flooring.
- Cleaning and disinfecting salvageable contents.
- Ensuring the home's structural stability.
- Extracting water and drying out the home with commercial-grade equipment.
- Protecting the integrity of the home by boarding up windows, applying tarps, and taking other precautions.
- Removing natural debris, like broken tree branches, and man-made debris, like loose roof shingles, from the surrounding property.
- Cleaning and disinfecting the property.
Water damage restoration
The main purpose of water damage restoration is to return the home to pre-loss conditions. Water damage restoration is focused on repairing and restoring the water damage caused to a home or property. A variety of applications are used by restorers to help homeowners recover from all damage. Since repairs can't be made until all water damage problems have been completely addressed, the water restoration process can't begin until the water mitigation process has ended.
A typical water damage restoration includes the following:
- Replacing damaged walls and flooring.
- Eliminating mold.
- Repairing roof damage.
- Conducting humidity and moisture testing as a final step to ensure all issues have been resolved.
Differences
- Water mitigation services will always be performed first, followed by water restoration services as needed.
- Water mitigation services prevent further damage from happening and are focused on securing the property and belongings. In comparison, water restoration services are done to repair the existing damage water caused to the property.
- While water mitigation and water restoration services can be performed separately, most professional restoration companies will rely on both methods to restore a home after water damage.
3 myths busted
There are many misconceptions about water restoration and mitigation procedures:
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Replacing is more economical than restoration
A restoration company cleaning and amending the home structure and contents will cost less than a complete replacement. Only a professional team can accurately analyze the contents that can or cannot be restored.
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Carpets, walls, and floors will dry by themselves
Carpets, walls, and floors can eventually dry by themselves but the real threat is the mold that will grow in the perfectly moist environment. Mold can have many different health effects on humans and therefore its growth must be halted at the earliest. A professional restoration team uses advanced gadgets to gauge the moisture level and then takes the requisite measures.
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DIY water mitigation and restoration is economical and effective
Minor damage mitigation and restoration may be managed by amateurs. However, a mitigation or restoration process that goes wrong, especially an extensive one, may prove to be much more costly in the long run. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the task of cleaning up after a flood may prove too difficult or dangerous for property owners to conduct themselves.
How long does it take?
The mitigation and restoration teams usually work in tandem with each other. Only after water mitigators have responded to a water damage call, restorers can play their role. In general, the time it takes to mitigate a property depends on how severe the water damage is.
Certain factors determine the time it takes to restore a property:
- The length of time the property has been exposed to water is a reliable indication of its expected restoration time.
- Stone floors require less time to replace than water damaged hardwood floors
- A complete floor replacement can be expected to be finished in four to ten days.
- Water-damaged walls often peel and may require both repair and repainting; the latter service requires several hours.
Ideally, water mitigators and restorers that belong to one company can work more effectively and swiftly.
What does it cost?
The price of water mitigation and water damage restoration services is decided by the following factors:
- Damage caused by clean water is less expensive to restore than the one caused by black water.
- Massive flood damage has higher repair costs than the contained flooding from a dishwasher for instance.
- The longer a property has been exposed to flood water, the more damage it causes. Therefore, the amount of restoration or replacement work would be more, indicating higher expense.
- Mold growth always means a higher cleanup price.
- The accessibility of the water-damaged space and the type of materials damaged also decide the price of water mitigation and the subsequent restoration.
It is crucial for property owners to understand the difference between water damage mitigation and restoration so they can make the right decision at the right time to protect their property from further damage and losses. A professional water damage restoration company such as Force 1 Restoration Services is the best bet against water damage and will ensure swift and competent mitigation and restoration.
Why Force 1 Restoration Services?
The professionals at Force 1 Restoration Services can quickly arrive at the damaged residence with the personnel, equipment, and training to begin the water removal, drying, and restoration process. The team of professionals can handle the claims process and total restoration project from beginning to end for its clients.
- Convenient Hours
- Quality Service
- Competitive Pricing
- Superior Technology
- Full Line of Services
- Trained Technicians

For more information about water damage restoration in Vernon, CT contact Force 1 Restoration Services at (860) 289-0417.