5 Misconceptions about Mitigation and Restoration

There are many misconceptions regarding the mitigation and restoration of property damage. These trace back to the past, when the technology used wasn’t as advanced as today’s modern equipment. 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 about our industry, and the truth behind them:

1. 1. Replacing costs less than restoring. In most cases, cleaning and salvaging contents and the structure is less expensive than the cost of replacing them. Under certain circumstances, as in the case of a fire, if the smoke and soot was not properly cleaned, replacement becomes the only option. A trained restoration company should be able to successfully clean and remove contaminates before they cause permanent damage, making it more economic than the replacement costs.
2. 2. If the carpets have been cleaned, they’ll get dirty more quickly. This was true in the past, when antiquated techniques, equipment and materials used to clean carpets left behind soap residue that attracted dirt more than before cleaning. Modern cleaning processes and products prevent residues that attract dirt.
3. 3. Drying a home is complete once the carpets are completely dry. This misconception is far from the truth. Carpets dry much quicker than structural materials, so even when carpets are complexly dry, the structure might not be. The drying process is complete only when all the structural items, such as cement floors, subfloor, wood planks and walls, are totally dry. To ensure that the structure is dry, professionals use advanced meters and sensors that measure the moisture levels.
4. 4. A home that has been damaged by fire will always smell like smoke, so cleaning it fast is unnecessary. This is another common misconception. If the smoke residue is not cleaned immediately after a fire, the valuables in a home may suffer irreversible damage due to the acidic nature of the smoke particles. Also, with advanced tools, techniques and sealers available to professionals today, smoke odour can be completely eliminated from a structure that suffered fire damage.
5. 5. It’s cheaper to do it yourself rather than hire a restoration company. This might hold true in some cases, but damage that is not repaired properly can become more costly in the long run. More information about DIY vs. calling a pro can be found here.

There are many misconceptions that could hinder the mitigation and restoration of property damage after a disaster. Contacting a trained professional restoration company, such as PuroClean, can help elucidate some of these myths. 

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