What Is Water Mitigation and How It Helps Limit Damage?

Water damage can be stressful, especially when it affects flooring, drywall, or personal belongings. Water mitigation is the first phase of addressing water intrusion - focused on removing water, controlling moisture, and stabilizing affected areas.

Water mitigation is often the first step within broader water damage restoration services, which focus on fully drying affected materials and repairing damage caused by leaks or flooding.

This article explains what water mitigation means, how it differs from restoration, and when each step is typically used.

Water mitigation is the process by which we remove any standing water or moisture that remains in your space. Water restoration, on the other hand, happens as soon as the drying process is complete and we are able to return your property to its pre-damage condition.

Water mitigation is most effective when paired with professional Water Damage Restoration in Denver, CO to prevent long-term damage.

The powerful combination of our certified, highly-trained mitigation team and experienced restoration professionals leaves you feeling relieved and able to return to normal use of your property when the mitigation and restoration process is complete.

When you have a water breach, contact us as soon as possible to start the process of cleaning and sanitizing your property.

Water mitigation is the process by which we remove water and moisture from your property and return it to a dried state. As water damage mitigation professionals, we begin by removing standing water, before employing the use of moisture probes, thermal cameras, and technical equipment to measure the extent of the damage caused by the water breach.

This helps us ensure that your property becomes fully dried as quickly as possible and helps you avoid issues like mold and bacteria growth.

During the water mitigation process, technicians remove any ruined building materials and damaged items, before fully disinfecting the area. Our technicians salvage any personal items that remain and have them cleaned and returned using our content restoration services.

What is Water Damage Restoration?

Once the mitigation process is complete, your property is ready to begin the water restoration phase.

The water restoration phase is designed to return your property to its pre-damaged condition.

As fully licensed professionals, our restoration team is able to repair your space, whether that means structural repairs, landscaping, interior repairs, plumbing or electrical.

Our team can also repair many personal items such as clothing, electronics and furniture using our content restoration program.

Water Mitigation Vs. Water Restoration?

Water restoration and water mitigation services are two ways that we can help when you have a water disaster. Mitigation focuses on stopping further impact - extracting water, drying materials, and stabilizing affected areas. Restoration focuses on returning the property to its pre-damage condition, which may involve repairs or rebuilding. In many cases, mitigation comes first, and restoration follows once moisture levels are under control.

The water mitigation process is our first response and intended to remove the intruding water and moisture from your space. In addition, it is an important step as you return to a pre-damaged condition as the process limits the chance for mold and bacteria growth.

Water restoration, on the other hand, is the process by which your property is returned fully to its pre-damaged state. Highly experienced professionals work to repair personal items, interior, exterior, and structural damage.

Both mitigation and restoration are important to the maximum positive result after a water disaster.

HRS Water Damage Restoration Process

A typical water damage restoration process includes assessment, extraction, drying, monitoring, and repairs when needed.

Restoration can be done for homeowners and commercial properties alike. In each case, our mitigation team initially removes standing water, assesses damage, uses high-tech equipment to remove all moisture from the space and ensures total dry out.

This leads to the restoration phase where our fully licensed technicians are able to restore affected areas and return the property to a safe, usable condition to its pre-water damage state in short order.

Water Removal

Our team of certified technicians are trained to use our high-powered, truck-mounted equipment to extract standing water from your property and quickly assess any damage that it caused.

This quick response and removal gives you the best chance for limiting damage that increases the longer water is allowed to permeate every element of your space.

Damage Evaluation & Water Mitigation

After the water is removed, the work of mitigating damage begins. Using humidifiers, high-powered air dryers and thermal cameras, our team is able to find dampness and dry it before mold and bacteria begin to grow.

In addition, the water mitigation services team salvages any items that can be cleaned and returned, and disinfects the area for health and safety.

Water Damage Restoration

Once the mitigation process is complete and your property is in a dried state, our fully licensed restoration services technicians begin the work of repairing your space.

In many cases, this work includes structural, interior and exterior repairs as floors, walls, electrical and plumbing can be affected by a water intrusion.

Our restoration team can also clean, repair and return salvageable personal items. This unique offer allows us to bring you back cherished items thought lost to water damage in many cases.

When Water Mitigation Is Only the First Step

When unexpected water damage happens, it’s normal to wonder what “water mitigation” means and what steps typically happen next. In most cases, mitigation focuses on limiting spread - removing water, controlling moisture, and stabilizing affected areas - so drying and repair decisions can be made with clearer information.

Many restoration teams handle both mitigation and restoration, depending on the type and extent of the loss. Water mitigation focuses on controlled drying, moisture monitoring, and contamination prevention so the property is stable for the next phase.

If you want a deeper overview of the full workflow, see our guide to water damage restoration services.