Common Misconceptions about Mitigation and 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 used wasn’t as advanced as today’s modern equipment. However, professional restoration companies are trained to see beyond these fallacies and to apply the right course of action to mitigate the damages.

Here are the more common misconceptions and the truth behind them:

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

2. If you clean your carpets, they’ll get dirty more quickly. This was true in the past, when the techniques, equipment and materials that were used left a soap residue that attracted dirt more than before cleaning. Nowadays, the cleaning process prevents that from happening.

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 the moisture levels, professionals use advanced meters and sensors.

4. A home that has been damaged by fire will always smell like smoke, so cleaning it fast is unnecessary. 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.

5. It’s cheaper to do it yourself rather than hire a restoration company. This holds true in some cases, but you must be extremely careful, since a botched repair can cost you more in the long run. More information about DIY vs. calling a pro can be found here.

There are other misconceptions that could hinder the mitigation and restoration of property damage after a disaster. When in doubt, always consult a trained professional restoration company, such as PuroClean.