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Water Mitigation: 4 Proven Steps For Flood Recovery

Written on
November 22, 2021
Written by Merrick Young

Expert water mitigation prevents further damage from flooding disasters!

It can be devastating to see water flooding your home, but water mitigation is a service many people don't think of until it's too late. When water damages your home—whether from a plumbing issue or natural disaster—you need to contact a professional mitigation company as soon as possible.

When professionals complete water mitigation, they can identify any leaks and fix them before mold growth occurs. They'll ensure no further water damages occur, so you won't have to worry about mold or bacterial growth.

Nobody wants water damage, but it's a reality of life. Professional mitigation plays a crucial role in preventing further catastrophe, even when the water has only pooled on one floor! This article will describe the water mitigation process and give you details about where it fits into the overall water damage restoration process.

person measuring moisture level on moldy wall

Why is water mitigation important?

Water mitigation is essential because water can severely damage property, and the water will remain until the water's removed. Water professionals expel water from a property through natural or artificial means.

Natural water removal might be achieved by opening windows and doors, installing dehumidifiers, and using fans for air circulation. Artificial water removal includes using pumps to remove water from buildings such as homes and businesses.

Water mitigation is necessary for water damage restoration because water needs to be removed efficiently, rather than seeping through walls or under floors. While water can evaporate on its own, water mitigation speeds the process along by removing excess water, removing the risk for further damage.

What's the difference between mitigation and restoration?

Mitigation and restoration are two words that are often used interchangeably to describe water-related issues. However, water mitigation refers to stopping continued damages that occur as a result of water emergencies. On the other hand, restoration is the act of restoring your home to its previous condition once water damage has been repaired.

In short, water mitigation is part of the water damage restoration process. Mitigating the damage is the first step—once no more damage can happen, the process of restoration can begin.

4 steps of water mitigation

person writing in pen on clipboard

Inspection

The first step of water mitigation is the initial inspection. Next, the mitigation professional will do a thorough inspection to determine the water damage and its cause. Often, this includes turning off the water so that more water doesn't cause more damage.

After determining the water source, the water mitigation expert takes care of the leak so that when the water comes back on, it doesn't cause more issues.

Water removal

The water mitigation expert will provide water removal services by setting up a water removal system, such as pumps or vacuum equipment. The water is then transferred to a place where it won't cause any more damage to the home.

Moisture meters are used to track water levels so that mitigation can be completed efficiently—any pockets of moisture could host mold growth, creating another problem for the property owner.

Remove damaged items

The next step in the water mitigation process is removing damaged items from the property. For example, the mitigation expert will work with the property owner to determine which pieces of furniture, flooring, or wall coverings need to be removed. Frequently, the water mitigation expert can salvage furniture or carpets, depending on the level of water damage.

The water removal professional can also offer advice on preserving valuables during water damage cleanups, such as personal belongings or small furniture.

Temporary solutions

The final step in the water mitigation process is coming up with temporary solutions for the property. For example, if water damage causes extensive drywall damage, a piece of plywood could protect the inner structure until the remainder of the restoration process begins.

The water damage restoration process takes over when there's no more danger from the flooding event. This step includes rebuilding walls, floors, and fixing damaged structural components.

When to call a water mitigation company

Mitigation is always needed when water damage has already been caused due to flooding. However, if water damage is extensive, you should call in water mitigation companies to mitigate the water damage and prevent mold growth.

For example, there might be standing water on the floor from a flood. In this case, water mitigation can help make sure that no further damage occurs while everyday home life resumes with less worry.

Water mitigation professionals should be called in sooner if water levels start to rise inside a property due to a water leak. However, don't wait a few days or weeks before calling a mitigation professional—water levels can continue to rise if left unchecked and the property suffers further damage.

Baton Rogue water damage restoration services

Water mitigation in Baton Rouge

Water mitigation is an essential step in water damage restoration. It refers to the act of stopping continued damages that occur as a result of water emergencies, and it's also necessary when water damage has already occurred due to flooding or water leakages. 

When you have standing water on your property after a flood, for example, mitigation makes sure no further damage occurs while everyday home life resumes with less worry. Mitigation professionals should be called in sooner if water levels are starting to rise inside your house because of any leaks or floods so they can stop more problems from happening. You may need temporary fixes like plywood until the remainder of the restoration process begins; this includes rebuilding walls, floors, and fixing damaged structural components.

Give Living Solutions Construction a call if you live in the Baton Rouge area and experience water damage. Our experts are available 24/7; reach out via our contact page, and we'll be onsite as soon as possible!

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