Understand Your Terms In The Restoration Process

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

After experiencing a Fire damage or water damage disaster your mind can be clouded with many thoughts and confusion. Stepping over to unfamiliar territory, navigating through a loss while still processing trauma can leave you feeling a mixture of anxiety and frustration. We here at SERVPRO understand what you’re going through, and this is why we are here to help you understand some terminology to better help you navigate your mitigation and restoration process.

Let start off with some of the basics

Water Damage: describes various possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, mold growth, bacteria growth, rusting of steel, swelling of composite woods, de-laminating of materials such as plywood, etc.

Fire Damage: Fire damage refers to the physical damage to a property as a result of burning. This damage may either be directly caused by the flames or could occur due to smoke and other corrosive substances emitted by the fire.

Mitigation VS Restoration: The terms mitigation and restoration are standard terms used by property contracting specialist. The difference between mitigation and restoration is that mitigation is the process used before the restoration process.

Mitigation is the process of the stabilization and prevention of damage. Examples are water extraction and drying, the removal of rotting wood and rusting steel to lessen further damage.

Restoration is the step performed after the property is properly stabilized and further damage is prevented from the current structure and add materials. These steps include rebuilding damaged structures and cleaning smoke damage.

Remediation: the action of remedying something, in particular of reversing or stopping environmental damage. Example: the removal of mold in your walls behind the drywall.

Dehumidifier: a device that removes excess moisture from the air. Usually use to prevent the growth and spread of air borne mold.

Air mover: These tools are essential in the water damage restoration process. They are designed to blow lower to the ground at high speeds. This helps force water to quickly evaporate from floors and carpets.

Air Scrubber: air scrubber is a device that attaches directly to the ductwork of your HVAC system. It removes air pollution, VOCs, surface contaminants, pet dander, odors and dust and improves air quality.

Work Authorization: An authorization form that permits individuals or a company to work on-premises. These are most likely under the terms of the owner’s insurance policy.