Anyone can find themselves battling water damage in an instant. A pipe burst, flood, or leak can happen anytime, and, when it does, homeowners need to be prepared to respond right away. In fact, the faster that the mess can get cleaned up, the less damage there will be.

Unfortunately, there’s often a lot of confusion about the cleanup process. Many people don’t know the difference between water mitigation and restoration. Some may even use the terms interchangeably. However, it’s important to know that the two services are distinct and serve different purposes. In order to understand what services a homeowner needs, they should learn how water mitigation differs from a water damage restoration. 

What is a Water Mitigation?

To start, a water mitigation is done to stop the spread of damage. The whole purpose of this service is to salvage as much of the property and personal belongings as possible. This is done by removing any saturated building materials, such as drywall. From there, the contractors will work to clean any materials that were able to be salvaged.

In addition, the water mitigation process includes the extraction of water. If there is standing water, it will be removed with sump pumps and wet/dry vacuums. From there, the home is dried and dehumidified to remove any remaining moisture. Air movers and commercial-grade dehumidifiers are essential for this part of the process.

Depending on the cause of the water damage, the contractors may also have to board up windows, doors, or holes in the roof with tarps. They may also have to make repairs to plumbing, fixtures, or other sources of water damage.

What is a Water Restoration?

While a water mitigation focuses on preventing further damage, a restoration is all about repairing the damage that was already done. It is completed after the mitigation and may look very different from one project to the next. This is largely due to the fact that damage can vary greatly based on several factors. 

Some homes might have a lot of structural problems, while others could become infested with mold. Regardless of the type of damage or how severe it is, the contractors will customize a restoration plan to get the property back to its pre-loss condition.

In general, however, homeowners can typically expect that their water damage restoration in Atlanta, GA will include replacing walls and flooring. The contractors may also be responsible for repairing any roof damage that may have occurred. If mold has grown in any areas, the contractors will also complete a mold removal. Last but not least, it’s very common for restoration professionals to monitor humidity and moisture levels throughout the restoration. Once testing indicates that the issues have been resolved, they can complete the job.

Key Differences Between Water Mitigation and Restoration

Based on that information, it’s easy to see that water mitigation is very different from restoration solutions. However, the following are just a few of the key differences that homeowners should understand before hiring a mitigation or restoration company.

Cost

In most cases, water mitigation and restoration go hand in hand, so homeowners typically end up paying for both services. However, there are some options to DIY or hire a different contractor for one part. Therefore, it’s important to recognize that a water mitigation is usually cheaper than a restoration. Restorations are typically much more expensive, but the total cost depends on the value of the building materials used in the home.

Timing

Another one of the key differences between a water mitigation and restoration is the timing of it all. There is an order to these processes. A water mitigation must always be completed before the restoration takes place. Otherwise, the damage could continue to spread, and more repairs would be needed down the road. 

Purpose

As mentioned, a water mitigation is done to prevent damage. It is more often seen as a temporary fix until a more permanent solution can be reached. A water restoration is much more permanent since the goal is to recover the property and return it to its pre-loss condition. 

Learn More About the Difference Between a Water Mitigation and Restoration

Want to know more about how a water mitigation differs from a restoration? Then, contact The Homestar Group right away. Their helpful professionals are happy to provide more information on their services, and it’s easy to get in touch with them.

Local homeowners can call (470) 837-5337 to ask any questions or to request emergency water damage assistance. Customers also have the option to fill out a simple online form. They can submit details of their project if they would like to request a free quote for less urgent situations.