The Difference Between Water Mitigation and Water Restoration

Every day, countless homes are impacted by water damage in one way or another. It may be caused by minor leaks in plumbing or something as dramatic as a flash flood. Regardless, water damage can lead to expensive and extensive damage. Even worse, it can lead to secondary water damage problems like rot and mold growth if it isn’t cleaned up right away.

That’s exactly why water mitigation and water restoration are so important, but many homeowners don’t know which service is best for their water damage. Some people use the terms interchangeably, and while they often go hand in hand, they are two distinct services. Keep reading to learn more about the difference between water mitigation and restoration. 

The Purpose

One of the key differences between a water mitigation and restoration is the purpose of the service. The main reason that a homeowner seeks water mitigation solutions is to stop water damage from occurring again. Action is taken to make repairs, protect the property, and keep the residents of the home safe. 

On the other hand, water damage restoration serves a different purpose. The main goal is to focus on making repairs to the water damage that occurred to the property. It is less focused on addressing the source and more focused on getting the house restored to its pre-loss condition. 

The Process

It’s also important to understand that water mitigation and restorations vary greatly based off of their processes. With water damage mitigation, crews work to stop the immediate flow of water. From there, they take their time to assess the best mitigation efforts before tackling the water extraction and drying process. These steps can also include: 

• 
  Removing furniture and carpeting with water damage
• Assessing the type of water (clean, gray, or black)
• Using tarps to prevent further water damage
• Boarding up damaged windows
• Using heavy-duty wet/dry vacuums
• Using commercial air movers to dry out the property

A restoration is the process of fixing a home that has been damaged by water. This step usually takes place after water mitigation has been completed. The water damage restoration process may vary depending on the type and extent of water damage, but in general, homeowners can expect the following services: 



• Removal of water-soaked drywall 
• Removal of other damaged structural materials
• Removal and disposal of floor coverings
• Replacement or restoration of the subfloor material
• Removal or encapsulation of mold 
• Repairs or replacement of windows and doors
• Repairs for damaged roofs
• Final testing to verify all moisture has been removed

The Results

Water mitigation and restoration can also be compared by looking at the expected results of each service. When a homeowner hires a contractor for just water mitigation, they are left with a temporary solution to stop the spread of water. There is no replacement of property, but it can be removed or discarded. 

In order to get the home back to its pre-loss condition, a homeowner must also seek out water damage restoration services. This process will leave homeowners with a permanent solution. The contractors will ensure that the entire property has been fully repaired or restored with new building materials.

The Timing 

Homeowners should also know that water mitigations take place at very different times than restorations. For best results, a water mitigation should always be completed immediately. This means that, in many cases, it is done during the actual water event or right after. 

A water damage restoration can’t be completed until the mitigation process is over. Therefore, it won’t occur until after the water event has occurred and been cleaned up.

The Cost 

Finally, it's important to recognize that there is a significant difference in the cost of both of these services. As we mentioned before, they are usually done in conjunction with one another, but the price for the mitigation alone can range from $1,300 to $5,200. However, the exact cost will depend on the size of the home as well as the type and extent of water damage. 

The cost of the restoration process depends on similar factors, but on average, it could cost $1,500 to $6,000. However, it’s important to know that replacements requiring significant structural repairs can cost upwards of $50,000.

Learn More About the Difference Between Water Mitigation and Restoration 

Homeowners who would like to find out more about how a water mitigation differs from a restoration should contact Swift Restoration and Remodeling right away. Their helpful water damage experts are available by phone, or customers can submit their project details through the online quote form.