After a disaster occurs, don’t decide between mitigation vs restoration services–the truth is, you need both!
Home disasters like floods and fires can leave you dealing with water or fire damage. Researching professionals who specialize in a disaster can leave you wondering about mitigation vs restoration.
What’s the difference? And do you need both?
This article will outline both terms and provide examples of when you need both types of services.
Mitigation vs Restoration
Mitigation and restoration are standard terms used by property disaster specialists. There might not seem much difference between the two, but knowing what service you hire can save you from headaches down the road.
Mitigation is the act of reducing the severity of a situation. When disaster strikes your home or business, mitigation professionals take steps to ensure the event doesn’t cause further damage.
Restoration is when experts rebuild or repair your property, making it as good or better than it was before. This step occurs after mitigation and is critical in providing complete disaster relief.
Real-world examples
Water damage
Water damage can come from many sources–floods, burst pipes, and backed up appliances are three major causes. It falls into three categories, ranging in toxicity of the water present, but is categorized by standing and flowing water.
Mitigation of water damage includes water extraction, diverting the water flow, cutting off the source of water, and reinforcing damaged structures.
Restoration of water damage is the process of repairing all damaged aspects of the house. Potential elements requiring restoration include the walls and flooring, drying the space, so mold doesn’t grow, and generally making your home or business ready for occupation.
Fire damage
Fire damage is the result of a fire on your property. Fires start in several ways, from electrical shortages to untended flames, but any fire extensive enough for the involvement of firefighters poses a risk to the underlying structure.
Mitigation services for fire damage include boarding up windows, applying tarps over exposed areas of the roof, removing water used to douse the flames, and reinforcing the structure.
Restoration of fire damage is the steps taken which make the property inhabitable once more. These steps include rebuilding damaged structures and cleaning smoke damage.
Why are the terms mitigation and restoration used?
Mitigation vs restoration might seem like a choice of vocabulary, but there are real effects in the insurance process that can affect how much money you receive for your claim.
Not knowing the difference can cost you when dealing with your insurance company. Some insurances only cover mitigation, some only cover restoration, and some cover both, regardless of the mitigation vs restoration debate.
Our experts help during the entire insurance process of getting your property back to the way it was, helping you get as much help as possible from your insurance company without worrying about the difference between mitigation vs restoration.
Be wary of companies that bill themselves as mitigation companies only. This designation means they can help you avoid further disaster in the heat of the moment but don’t offer services that will return your property to its original state.
Disaster services in Atlanta, Georgia
Understanding the mitigation vs restoration debate comes down to realizing that mitigation paves the way for restoration.
Mitigation stops the disaster’s damage and paves the way for the cleanup efforts. Restoration returns your property to normal.
Both are required so you can move forward.
If you are in the Atlanta area and have suffered from any property-damaging disaster, reach out via our contact page. We’ll help you navigate the difference between mitigation vs restoration and assist with your insurance company, so your property returns to its former glory!
