What Is the Difference Between Water Remediation and Water Restoration?

If your property experiences significant water damage, the process of repairing it can be complicated, involving multiple steps. Two of the steps in water damage repair are water remediation and water restoration.

We know that most people don’t know the difference between these two terms. In truth, the two stages of the process have significant overlap between them, and even industry professionals aren’t always careful about the terminology they use. However, if you want to understand the difference between these two parts of the process, here are the technical distinctions.

Water Damage Repair: A Three-Step Process

Often, we divide the water damage repair process into three steps:

• Mitigation
• Restoration
• Remediation

Water mitigation is the first step of the process. The goal of this stage is to minimize additional water damage, and it involves cleaning up as much of the water as possible. All standing water removal is part of the mitigation. In addition, mitigation often involves removal of saturated materials when this is necessary to prevent further damage, especially contaminated items that we can’t save or that you don’t want to save. In cases where you need a board-up of damaged windows or tarping of a broken roof, this is usually considered part of the water mitigation step.

Water remediation begins once the free water is gone, and we begin the process of cleaning and drying the space. We may perform additional triage of the water-damaged area, deciding what items can be salvaged, and which items might not be worth salvaging.

Water restoration includes the implementation of permanent solutions for the water-damaged area. This includes the repair or replacement of damaged floors, walls, ceilings, windows, or doors. At the end of this step, your property will be as good as before the incident, if not better.

Water Remediation in Detail

“Remediation” means the process of improving or correcting a situation. Water damage remediation focuses on removing water soaked into the affected area.

This may include structural drying techniques to fully dry the area. Structural drying techniques allow professional restorers to remove water trapped inside walls, flooring, and other structures. The goal is to remove water quickly enough to prevent the growth of mold or other microorganisms that can cause structural damage to your property.

We often have to make hard choices in the process of remediation. For example, we might need to drill holes or make cuts in the wall or floor to speed drying. Depending on the material, this might not be enough, and it might be a case of deciding to pull up carpet or removing drywall and insulation to improve drying of studs and/or joists. These decisions can be even harder in cases of sewage removal and cleanup. We’ll keep you informed about the progress of drying and let you know when we have to make these difficult decisions.

Water remediation can also involve the drying and cleaning of the contents of the affected area. Often, we can preserve your property with careful treatment. We will talk to you about the value of different objects so you can decide what is worth saving, and what you are prepared to part with.

Water Restoration in Detail

“Restoration” means the process of returning something to its former condition. Water damage restoration is the final stage in repair, and when it’s completed, your property will be as good as it was before the incident.

In water restoration, we will repair or replace all the parts of the structure we were unable to preserve through our mitigation and remediation efforts. If we had to remove drywall and/or insulation, for example, we will replace them, close the seams, and repaint as necessary so that no one will be able to tell where the water damage took place.

We will put down new carpet if necessary, then we’ll move in all the saved contents of the room as well as any replacement items.

The restoration process isn’t completed until you are satisfied with the condition of the restored area.

Why Choose Alpha Omega for Water Remediation and Restoration

When you detect water damage to your property, it’s essential to respond quickly. At Alpha-Omega Disaster Restoration, we offer 24/7 emergency response services. When you contact us, we will show up quickly and get right to work. We have over 50 years of combined experience in the restoration industry, and we know how to efficiently assess the damage so we can address it efficiently. Our well-trained staff has access to the most advanced tools in the industry, so we can preserve as much of your property as possible. We offer competitive pricing – get the best disaster restoration service at a fair price.

We also offer a five-year warranty on all our work. You’ll have the confidence that we’re performing quality repairs that will last and won’t need to be redone right away.

We can handle all steps in the restoration process, including coordinating with your insurance company. We know how to follow their procedures, so you are more likely to get the full compensation due under your policy and get it faster because we document everything the way the insurance company wants it.

Do you have water damage in Billings, Billings Heights, Lockwood, Laurel, or Red Lodge? Don’t wait – contact Alpha Omega Disaster Restoration now, and we’ll get started on water remediation and restoration.