What is water mitigation?

Water mitigation can be summed up into one word, water extraction. This may include assessment, containment, and prevention of further destruction during  water damage in a property, facility or place. This is an intervention made by a company to fully prepare it before restoring the premises. Unless the damage of the structures are beyond  repair and demolition of the property is imminent.

This is a specialized task wherein a special team or firm handles such work. Water damage from floods, rain, leaks and other sources can leave the property useless if untreated and intervened. Especially if the water is highly contaminated like sewage and industrial waste water.

Part of the mitigation firm’s task is also to identify the cleanliness and safety of the water so that they can determine the amount of work to be done to prepare the property for restoration.

What is the process?

 When the mitigation firm is tasked to fix a property, they will take steps to perform a variety of tasks before restoration.

1. FInding the water source

-       This is the first task of a mitigation contractor. Identifying where the water comes from and where it flows to and through. Some cases vary however, and water may stop flowing before the repairman arrives or the owner of the property has already turned off the water source such as a left opened faucet or valve. The importance here is that the contractor identifies thoroughly the site where the water comes in so that he may proceed to the next step.

2. Stopping the flow

-       As said earlier, finding the source is very important. Because the contractor may not fully identify the problem if there are more than one sources of the water intrusion. That is why the contractor may check all spaces of the property from foot to roof.

3. Assessment of the damage

-       After finding the source and stopping the flow of water, the contractor will fully assess how big the damage is so that he can foresee the type of repair needed

4. Extraction of the water

-       The contractors are equipped with extractors to remove standing water. These equipment can come with different power settings depending on the amount of water to be extracted.

5. Drying

-       After the water extraction, the contractors may perform drying by still using commercial or industrial grade dryers. But dehumidifiers and fans are adequate enough to dry the property.

6. Cleaning and Protecting

-       Other services may include cleaning and administering protective measures like antimicrobials to prevent molds and mildew.

These tasks are included in the mitigation process and will ensure prevention of any further damages. Contractors may have to remove some fixtures that are no longer needed, especially the damaged contents of the property. Extraction of water is the main focus to eliminate further damages.

Water mitigation is different from damage restoration. These tasks are performed separately. The main differences are the tasks involved. Although you cannot restore a property without mitigation first. Although some companies offer both tasks in their profile. So property owners need not employ more workers and also save fees if they get a company who does both mitigation and restoration.

Water damage contractors in Paola help with such concerns from water damage to restoration.

After mitigation, the damage restoration can finally proceed. The process will depend on how heavy the damage of the property is and return its condition to pre damage state.