When your home suffers water damage, either through flooding or leaks, it’s imperative that you act fast by calling a water mitigation expert. Before you do, though, asking “What does a water mitigation company do?” will help you understand what to expect and confirm that you are hiring the right type of service.
What is Water Mitigation?
Water mitigation is a key part of the water removal process and is a process that prevents further damage happening to the property. It is often completed during or immediately after the event while it is usually the precursor to water damage restoration services.
The water mitigation process can be used to treat water damage in commercial or residential properties alike. Likewise, it treats damage from a wide range of causations, including but not limited to;
- Backed-up toilets,
- Burst water pipes,
- Damaged water heaters,
- Groundwater,
- Leaky gutters,
- Overflowing bathtubs,
- Rising water tables.
An estimated 14,000 American homes file water damage claims daily. If your property has been hit by problems due to internal or external matters, calling a water mitigation company is advised.
What Does a Water Mitigation Company Do?
In basic terms, a water mitigation company prevents the damage from worsening, which is a necessary first step before restoring the property to its former glory. To do this, the water mitigation experts will complete the following procedures:
Identifying Causation and Categorizing Water Type
Understanding the situation is the first thing that any water mitigation company must do. So, when searching for local water mitigation experts, you should expect them to conduct a full analysis of the property. While any insight you can provide is helpful, they will complete thorough examinations to identify the causation – including secondary contributors if necessary.
The water mitigation company will additionally determine whether the water is categorized as clean water, grey water, or black water. Clear water typically comes from burst water supply pipes while grey comes from appliances and tubs. Black water is usually contaminated water from sewage pipes.
Furthermore, they will identify whether the water is class 1 (lowest level), 2, 3 or 4 (most severe).
Stopping and Removing Water
Water mitigation is used to stabilize the home and prevent worsening damage, which will subsequently help localize the damage and protect the property as well as its residents. This will go a long way to preventing mold as well as worsening structural damage.
So, what does a water mitigation company do to remove water from the property? Ultimately, each project needs to be treated on its individual merits, but the most common ways to remove water include;
- Water extraction with wet vacuums,
- Drying the property with commercial fans,
- Using tarps to prevent further damage.
It may also be necessary to treat doorways and windows. The goal of this stage is to ensure that no more water can enter the property.
Sanitization and Repair
Water damaged assets can pose significant risks to residents as well as the structure of the property, especially when dealing with grey and/or black water. The next stage, then, is to ensure that the property has been sanitized.
Mold forms after just 48 hours of water damage, which underlines the need to act quickly. If wondering “What does a water mitigation company do to prevent mold development?”, the following steps may be used;
- Carpets and water damaged furniture are removed from the property,
- Materials are disinfected,
- Any mold spots on walls or ceilings are treated.
In many cases, some furniture pieces can be fixed or saved while others will need to be discarded. When you want the latter to be replaced, it will be necessary to call a water damage restoration specialist – although it should be noted that some water mitigation companies offer a comprehensive service to cover these aspects too.
Checking the Treated Property
After completing the steps to stop further water infiltration and prevent mold growth, water mitigation experts will need to conduct thorough checks to confirm that the home is back in a stable condition. Further restorations will likely be required to make the home liveable once more, but it should at least be safe by this stage.
Professionals will look to identify any remaining causations of water damage and check that the property is dry and free from hazardous materials like mold. Should any additional issues be found, these will be treated ASAP.
What Happens After Water Mitigation
Water mitigation ensures that the problem won’t get any worse and takes the first steps towards repairing the damage caused to your property. Following this, you may find that dedicated restorations, furniture repairs, and decorating are needed. Nevertheless, those steps must not be completed until you are 100% confident that water damage has been stopped.
Therefore, finding a reliable water mitigation company to manage your property is essential. To find yours, contact the Restoration Rapid team today.