water damage
Water Damage Mitigation – Flood Doctor has been mitigating damages caused by water in the Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia area for over 20 years. Our techs are constantly taking extended education courses and learning new techniques. The water damage mitigation industry as a whole has come a long way since we started in the late 1990s. Today’s drying techniques and drying equipment are significantly better than what was available even five years ago.
Although many things have changed, one remains exactly the same: Lack of knowledge by homeowners about the field.
Understandably, water damage mitigation is not something property owners typically spend time thinking about. Most of us only think about water damage after we come face to face with it. To make this even more complicated, there is a lot of misinformation out there.
24/7 Response
Our IICRC Certified techs are available to respond to emergency water damage mitigation, water removal, and water damage cleanup requests 24/7
1 Hour Response
With over 17 dispatch location throughout the DMV area, our water mitigation expert technicians are there in one hour or less
We're Here For You
We work directly with your insurance provider while our water removal experts focus on you and addressing your priorities right away.
Certified Experts
Our certified techs deliver the very best in expert water mitigation and water remediation solutions quickly restoring your property back to normal.
What is Water Damage Mitigation?
Water damage can strike your home without notice. A leaking pipe may burst and flood your basement while you’re on vacation. Your dishwasher may suddenly leak and spill water on your hardwood kitchen floor due to faulty maintenance. A spring storm may cause a leaking roof to give in, causing water damage to the structure of your home. There are many situations where water mitigation and water restoration services may be needed.
But what is the difference between water mitigation and water restoration? Fully understanding the water damage restoration process is important to help you see what is done by water damage restoration professionals and what you can expect when they’re at your home or property. Learn more about the differences between water mitigation and water restoration below.
To answer these and many other questions, we’ve put together a list of helpful information about water damage mitigation and what you need to know.
What is Water Damage Mitigation?
Water damage mitigation prevents further water damage from affecting your property and belongings. The water mitigation process involves using specialized equipment and techniques to minimize the amount of loss, such as:
- Removing damaged furniture and materials, including drywall and flooring.
- Cleaning and disinfecting salvageable materials.
- Ensuring the home’s structural stability.
- Extracting water and drying out the home with commercial-grade equipment.
- Protecting the integrity of the home by boarding up windows, applying tarps, and taking other necessary precautions.
Water damage mitigation services aren’t designed to repair or replace damaged property, but to ensure the disaster doesn’t lead to further consequences. While the water mitigation process may prevent further damage, the service is often only a temporary solution.
WHAT IS WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION?
Water damage restoration is focused on repairing and restoring the water damage caused to a home or property. After the water mitigation process, many trained water damage restoration specialists will focus on reconstruction and rebuilding your home through a variety of applications. The water damage restoration process is intended to help homeowners recover from all damage. Although the steps a restoration company may take to restore each home will largely depend on the extent of the water damage, typical water damage restoration services often include the following:
- Replacing damaged walls and flooring.
- Eliminating mold.
- Repairing roof damage.
- Conducting humidity and moisture testing to ensure all issues have been resolved.
The main purpose of water damage restoration is to return the home to pre-loss conditions. Since repairs can’t be made until all water damage problems have been completely addressed, the water restoration process can’t begin until the water mitigation process has ended.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WATER RESTORATION AND WATER MITIGATION
Water mitigation services will always be performed first, followed by water restoration services as needed. Water mitigation services prevent further damage from happening and are focused on getting your property and belongings out of harm’s way. In comparison, water restoration services are done to repair the existing damage water caused to your property.
While water mitigation and water restoration services can be performed separately, most professional restoration companies will rely on both methods to restore a home after water damage.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WATER RESTORATION AND MITIGATION
There are many misconceptions about water restoration and mitigation procedures. Here are three of the most common ones, as well as the truth behind them:
IT’S MORE COST-EFFECTIVE TO REPLACE THAN TO RESTORE.
In many cases, relying on a water restoration company to clean and salvage your home’s structure and materials actually costs less than completely replacing them. An experienced restoration company will understand which materials must be replaced and which ones are salvageable.
YOUR CARPETS AND WALLS WILL DRY ON THEIR OWN.
While carpets and drywall may dry on their own over time, the real issue is that moisture can hide underneath and behind these materials. Putting yourself and others in jeopardy of health issues resulting from mold exposure is not worth the risk. A professional restoration company can use advanced meters and sensors to measure the level of moisture that’s present and effectively reduce your risk of mold growth.
IT’S MORE COST-EFFECTIVE TO HANDLE THE WATER MITIGATION AND RESTORATION PROCESS ON YOUR OWN.
This may hold true in some cases, but a botched repair can actually cost you more money in the long run. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the task of cleaning up after a flood may be too difficult or dangerous for you to do alone.
Northern Virginia’s Best Water Removal and Water Damage Restoration Contractor
Our IICRC certified water remediation experts use a proprietary 10-step approach to eliminate excess water and excess moisture from your indoor environment restoring your property to a dry and healthy normal. Our goal is to preserve and restore your interior by following CDC, EPA, and ANSI/IICRC guidelines and without using harsh cleaning chemicals. We administer fast-acting and extensive water removal and drying treatments making your property safe and toxin-free.
Dedicated to our client’s health and our environment, we provide eco-friendly green cleaning and moisture removal by using plant-based products to treat areas affected by water damage.
To minimize disruptions to your life, we utilize 3D and thermal imaging technology and help you work through the insurance process to aid in quickly restoring your space.
Thermal Imaging and moisture mapping allow us to detect and show underlying damages, thus allowing us to remove only affected materials and restore your property from water and flood damages safely.
Water Damage Cleanup & Our Process
Water Containment
We seal off the water affected area with plastic sheeting to prevent water damage from traveling further. We remove only affected items salvaging anything we can to reduce cost.
Clear Communication
We clearly communicate what will be done, answering any questions you have so you are confident too.
Water Remediation
We use sealants to make your space more water resistant and to inhibit mold growth, and can also encapsulate the affected area which will help with musty odor control too – particularly in basements and crawl spaces.
Water Damage Restoration
If any reconstruction is needed, we completely restore the area fast often making it better than before.
Nothing Left Behind
Our team will dispose of all hazardous and water affected materials to make this process as easy as possible for you.
What Sets Us Apart
We Work For You, Not The Insurance Company
We do what is right for you with the least disruption as possible and are not in bed with the insurance companies.
We Care!
We care about our people, your people, and the (non people) environment. We use eco-friendly cleaners that are safe and effective for a green clean space.
Best In Industry Applications
We use the most technologically advanced drying, moisture detection techniques and tools to find all of the moisture and really dry out your space.
Most Technologically Advanced Equipment
We use HEPA filters with the highest filtration equipment possible so that the air in your home is as clean as possible.
Highly Experienced & Certified Experts
We are certified in mold removal so everything we do is to minimize microbial growth and keep the area in your home as clean, healthy, and safe as possible.
We Guarantee Our Work
We want you to be as confident in our work as we are, which is why we offer 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
Water Damage Mitigation Costs
The average homeowner in the Washington, D.C. metro area spends between $3,00 and $10,000 to mitigate and restore property damage caused by water. The cause and extent of damages to your home play a significant factor in determining the final costs. A licensed professional like Flood Doctor’s trained and certified technicians can determine the cause and extent of the destruction by categorizing and classifying the damage to your home.
Want to avoid extensive cleanup and repair bills? Preventative maintenance and cleaning up quickly after the damage are critical to keeping costs down. How long moisture is left untreated increases the scope of the damage and allows mold to grow.
Preventing damage by contacting professionals to diagnose causes and make minor repairs can save thousands later. Regardless of cause or cost, always document the damage for insurance claims.
How Much Does It Cost To Repair & Cleanup Water Damage?
[Step by Step guide to identifying and understanding the factors that play a role]
The cost to mitigate water damage | Bathroom 80sqft
1. Remove affected building materials:
$91
360 sq.ft.; remove all damaged material for disposal and fixtures to re-use; prepare waste for dump transport.
2. Replace ceiling and walls:
$332
280 sq.ft.; replace all with 1/2" water resistant sheetrock ready for paint; including waste.
3. Paint:
$70
280 sq.ft.; latex antimicrobial paint; primer coat and finish coat; including waste.
4. Replace flooring and fixtures:
$254
80 sq.ft. plywood subfloor and vinyl tile flooring, re-install 1 toilet and 1 lavatory in cabinet.
5. Disposal
$135
3 cubic yards to the dump; transport and fees.
Other Costs & Considerations
- These costs do not include any special measures regarding hazard containment, ventilation, or disposal. If necessary, those items will increase expenses accordingly.
- The moisture problem must be corrected to prevent a recurrence.
- These prices are for service in the immediate service area of the provider.
- Taxes and permit fees are not included.
- The work area must be free of all objects, including furniture, rugs, etcetera.
WHY CHOOSE FLOOD DOCTOR FOR WATER DAMAGE MITIGATION?
Flood Doctor is Virginia, Maryland & Washington DC’s highest-rated water damage mitigation company.
RAPID RESPONSE
When dealing with a water damage mitigation situation, getting a plan in place within 24 hours is key to retaining the integrity of the structure and drywall. We’ll arrive, get a unique, customized plan in place, and start the process fast. Most homes can start drying the same day the homeowners agree to the plan.
ON SITE MANAGEMENT
We are the most trusted name in Virginia because we don’t outsource, and you can trust our workers when they are in your home. They are specially trained and industry certified. You will be assigned a project manager who will walk you through the entire water damage cleanup & restoration process. The team leader is plugged into your job every single day. No exceptions.
QUICK ACTION
Part of mitigating water damage and drying a house is knowing what you are doing, not learning on the job. Our team is local, understands Virginia’s soil and water tables, but uses national standards. We’ve got thousands of happy customers in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., and we probably have one from your town if you look through our testimonials. We’re a hometown team, so your neighbors are our neighbors.
INSURANCE BILLED DIRECTLY
Policyholders don’t want hassles. We’ll make sure you get the coverage you paid for, remove the headache of having to work with your insurance company, and streamline the entire process. You have enough to worry about; we’ll work with your insurance company to achieve your complete satisfaction. We’ll usually survey with the insurance companies to make sure every policyholder gets everything they are entitled to get.
Emergency?
Send us a service request and one of our project managers will contact you within minutes. Our Rapid Response units are typically on site within an hour of initial contact.