General Restoration Terms Wiki
Restoration – The process of returning a property to its pre-damage condition.
Mitigation – Actions taken to reduce the severity of damage after a disaster.
Assessment – A detailed inspection to determine the extent of damage and necessary repairs.
Emergency Services – Immediate services provided to stabilize a property and prevent further damage.
Dehumidification – The process of removing moisture from the air to prevent secondary water damage or mold growth.
Containment – Methods used to isolate the affected area to prevent the spread of contaminants like mold or smoke particles.
Salvageable – Items or structures that can be saved and restored to their original condition after damage.
Non-Salvageable – Items or structures that are too damaged to restore and need to be replaced.
Insurance Claim – A formal request made to an insurance company to cover the cost of restoration after damage.
Adjuster – An insurance professional who evaluates damage and determines the compensation for restoration work.
Scope of Work – A detailed description of the work required to restore a property, usually prepared after an initial assessment.
Moisture Barrier – A material used to prevent moisture from penetrating a structure.
Demolition – The process of tearing down damaged sections of a structure that cannot be salvaged.
Contents Restoration – The process of cleaning and restoring personal items, furniture, and other belongings damaged by water, fire, or mold.
Water Damage Restoration Wiki
Water Extraction – The process of removing standing water from a property.
Moisture Mapping – The use of equipment to detect areas affected by water and measure the level of moisture in materials.
Drying – Techniques used to remove moisture from affected materials, typically using air movers and dehumidifiers.
Category 1 Water – Clean water from sources like broken pipes or rain.
Category 2 Water – Greywater that may contain some contaminants, like water from washing machines or dishwashers.
Category 3 Water – Blackwater that is highly contaminated, often from sewage or flooding.
Hydroscopic – Materials that readily absorb water from the air, which can lead to warping or mold growth.
Sublimation – A drying technique that turns ice directly into vapor, used in certain water damage scenarios like frozen pipes.
Water Migration – The movement of water through materials or structures, spreading the area of damage.
Subfloor – The layer of flooring beneath the visible floor surface that can be damaged by water intrusion.
Delamination – The separation of layers in materials, such as wood or carpet, due to water damage.
Warping – The bending or twisting of materials, such as wood, as a result of prolonged exposure to water.
Secondary Damage – Damage that occurs after the initial incident, often due to improper drying or delayed restoration efforts.
Capillary Action – The process by which water moves upward through porous materials, contributing to water migration.
Structural Drying – The process of drying and dehumidifying a building’s framework, including walls, ceilings, and floors.
Desiccant Dehumidifier – A type of dehumidifier that uses a chemical process to absorb moisture from the air, often used in severe water damage situations.
Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Wiki
Soot – Fine black particles produced by incomplete combustion during a fire.
Smoke Odor Removal – The process of neutralizing and removing smoke odors from affected materials.
Thermal Fogging – A process that uses a fogging machine to neutralize smoke odor by reaching into hidden areas.
Hydroxyl Generator – A machine that produces hydroxyl radicals to remove odors from fire and smoke damage.
Board-up Services – Temporary boarding up of damaged windows, doors, and other open areas after a fire to secure the property.
Fire Damage – Structural and cosmetic damage caused by fire, including burned materials and compromised building integrity.
Structural Cleaning – Cleaning techniques used to remove smoke, soot, and other contaminants from the building’s structure.
Combustion – The chemical reaction of burning that creates heat, light, and smoke.
Protein Fire – A type of fire caused by burning food, which creates a hard-to-clean greasy residue and pungent odor.
Puffback – A malfunction in an oil-burning furnace that releases soot into the home, requiring specialized cleaning.
Thermal Imaging – The use of infrared cameras to detect hidden fire damage behind walls or in ceilings.
Dry Ice Blasting – A cleaning method that uses dry ice pellets to remove soot and smoke residue without damaging surfaces.
Corrosion – The chemical reaction that causes metal surfaces to deteriorate after exposure to soot and smoke.
Smoke Webs – Soot and smoke particles that form spiderweb-like shapes on walls and ceilings after a fire.
Wet Smoke – A sticky, thick residue from slow-burning fires, typically harder to clean and with a strong odor.
Dry Smoke – A powdery residue from fast-burning fires, which is lighter and easier to clean than wet smoke.
Mold Damage Remediation Wiki
Mold Remediation – The process of removing mold growth and preventing future mold issues.
Mold Testing – Tests conducted to determine the type and concentration of mold present.
HEPA Filter – A high-efficiency particulate air filter used in air scrubbers to remove mold spores from the air.
Antimicrobial Treatment – Chemicals applied to affected surfaces to kill mold and prevent future growth.
Air Scrubber – A device that removes contaminants like mold spores from the air during remediation.
Spore – The reproductive unit of mold that can become airborne and spread to new areas.
Mycotoxin – Toxic compounds produced by certain types of mold, which can be harmful to health.
Encapsulation – The process of sealing off surfaces where mold was removed to prevent regrowth.
Black Mold (Stachybotrys) – A type of toxic mold that is commonly found in buildings with water damage and can cause serious health problems.
Fungal Growth – The development of mold and other fungi in damp areas of a building.
Hyphae – The branching structures of mold that allow it to spread across surfaces.
Allergen – Substances like mold spores that can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Decontamination – The process of cleaning and disinfecting areas contaminated by mold to make them safe for occupancy.
Relative Humidity (RH) – The amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum it can hold at a given temperature, important in mold growth prevention.
Moisture Intrusion – The unwanted movement of water into a structure, leading to conditions that support mold growth.
Tenting – A process used in mold remediation where plastic sheeting is used to seal off an area for concentrated cleaning or chemical
Additional Miscellaneous Terms
Vapor Barrier – A material used to prevent moisture from passing through walls, ceilings, or floors.
Negative Air Machine – A device that creates negative air pressure in a space to prevent contaminants from spreading to unaffected areas.
Odor Neutralization – The process of using chemicals or machines to eliminate odors, often necessary after fire, smoke, or mold damage.
Structural Integrity – The strength and stability of a building’s framework after being exposed to fire, water, or mold.
Reconstruction – The process of rebuilding or repairing parts of a structure that were too damaged to restore during the initial restoration phase.
Efflorescence – A white, powdery substance that appears on masonry surfaces due to water evaporation, often a sign of moisture issues.
Permeability – The ability of a material to allow water vapor to pass through it, which can impact how quickly a structure dries after water damage.
Thermal Expansion – The expansion of materials when exposed to heat, which can cause additional damage after a fire.