Water Damage Restoration: A Guide to Restoration and Mitigation

Water damage restoration involves restoring water-damaged property to its pre-loss condition. This includes removing standing water, drying out the affected area, and repairing or replacing damaged materials.

What's the Difference Between Restoration and Mitigation?

Water damage restoration and mitigation are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between the two terms. Mitigation refers to the process of minimizing further damage to a property after water damage has occurred.
It can include measures such as:

  • Extracting standing water
  • Drying out the affected area
  • Preventing mold growth

Restoration refers to the process of returning a damaged property to its pre-loss condition. This can include:

  • Repairing or replacing damaged materials
  • Cleaning and disinfecting the affected area
  • Restoring the property to its original condition

In some cases, both mitigation and restoration will be necessary to fully address the damage caused by water. For example, if a home has suffered extensive water damage, it may be necessary to first mitigate the damage by extracting standing water and drying out the affected areas before restoring the home to its original condition.