Five Common Myths about Property Damage Restoration

There are many misconceptions regarding the mitigation and restoration of property damage. These theories may have been true in the past when the technology wasn’t as advanced. However, professional restoration companies see beyond these fallacies and apply the right course of action to mitigate the damages.

If a property owner doesn’t act quickly enough or doesn’t take the right actions due to these misconceptions, they can end up with even more damage to deal with, which could’ve easily been avoided. Here are the five common property restoration myths and the truth behind them.

Myth #1: Replacing costs less than restoring

In most cases, cleaning and salvaging the contents and structure is actually less expensive than replacing them. This can vary with the circumstances. Sometimes, replacement is the only option. For example, if after a fire, smoke soot hasn’t been properly cleaned from all surfaces, the damaged contents must be replaced. Yet, a trained restoration company should be able to successfully clean and remove contaminates, avoiding high replacement costs.

Moreover, a professional restoration technician will always prioritize mitigation. Mitigation is extremely time-critical, as it stops further damage and reduces additional loss. It usually needs to be performed within 24 hours of the disaster. Any delay will further complicate or devalue the mitigation effort.

Myth #2: If you clean your carpets, they’ll get dirty faster

This was true in the past when the techniques, equipment, and materials were inferior. Inefficient carpet shampooing left a soap residue that attracted dirt more quickly than before cleaning. Nowadays, the carpet cleaning process both flushes and rinses carpets, preventing that from happening.

Myth #3: Drying a home is complete when the carpets are dry

This misconception is far from the truth since the carpets dry much quicker than structural materials. Thus, the drying process is complete only when all the structural items, such as cement floors and walls, are totally dry. To measure moisture levels, professionals use advanced meters and sensors. That is extremely important to accomplish the end result – a totally dry structure. The danger with ineffective drying is that it can turn a small loss from water damage into a multi-thousand dollar mold claim.

Myth #4: A fire-damaged home will always smell like smoke, so cleaning it fast is unnecessary

Stories arise about smoke damage restoration efforts that have failed, usually because odor remains. Though smoke soot is far more damaging than ordinary dirt or dust, prompt cleaning can reduce losses if the soot is neutralized. So, if you don’t clean the smoke residue immediately after a fire, the valuables in your home may suffer irreversible damage, due to the acidic nature of the smoke particles.

Odor removal is more complicated than turning on a machine and hoping to achieve good results. Restoration for smoke odor has to be thorough. All contaminated areas need to be cleaned, deodorized, and sealed where applicable.

Myth #5: DIY is cheaper than hiring a restoration company

This holds true in some cases, but you must be extremely careful. A botched repair can cost you more in the long run. Thus, a restoration company can save you extra expenses. Learn more about the advantages of hiring a professional and the risks of DIY mold removal.

For property damage restoration, call the professionals!

There are other misconceptions that could hinder property damage restoration after a disaster. When in doubt, always consult a trained professional restoration company, such as PuroClean. Professionals are the best assurance when it comes to mitigation and restoration. Their continuous technical training helps them avoid the flawed theories and mistakes of the past. Using the latest equipment and techniques, they make sure that the job is done correctly and completely — the first time. Call your local PuroClean office today!