Restoration reports, quotes and insurance paperwork use terms that are not always explained. These are the ones you are most likely to see, in plain English.
- Air mover
- Air scrubber
- Black water
- Category of water
- Containment
- Dehumidifier
- Deodorisation
- Grey water
- HEPA filter
- Make-safe
- Moisture meter
- Mould remediation
- Scope of work
- Soot
- Structural drying
- Thermal imaging
- Underlay
- Water damage restoration
- Water extraction
- Wicking
Air mover
A high-velocity fan that pushes air across wet carpet, floors and walls to speed up evaporation. Air movers are used together with dehumidifiers, which remove the moisture the air movers lift into the air.
Air scrubber
A portable filtration machine that draws air through HEPA filters to capture dust, mould spores and smoke particles during restoration work.
Black water
Heavily contaminated water, such as sewage or floodwater from rivers and stormwater. Porous materials soaked by black water, including carpet and underlay, are normally removed rather than dried.
Category of water
A way of describing how contaminated water is: clean water from a supply pipe, grey water from appliances and drains, and black water from sewage or flooding. The category decides how an area is cleaned and what can be kept.
Containment
Sealing off a work area, usually with plastic sheeting, so that mould spores, dust or contaminants are not spread to the rest of the building.
Dehumidifier
A machine that removes water vapour from the air. Commercial dehumidifiers are used in structural drying to keep humidity low so that wet materials keep releasing moisture.
Deodorisation
Removing odours from a building and its contents after smoke, mould, sewage or water damage by cleaning away the source and treating the air and materials, rather than masking the smell.
Grey water
Water with some contamination, for example from a washing machine, dishwasher or shower. Grey water can become more contaminated the longer it sits.
HEPA filter
A high-efficiency particulate air filter that captures very fine particles. HEPA filters are used in air scrubbers and vacuums during mould and fire restoration.
Make-safe
Emergency work done straight after an incident to stop further damage and remove immediate hazards, such as stopping water entry, extracting water and isolating unsafe areas. Repairs come later.
Moisture meter
A handheld instrument that measures how much moisture is in materials such as timber, plasterboard and concrete. Readings are taken at the start, during and at the end of drying.
Mould remediation
The process of fixing the moisture source, containing the affected area, removing materials that cannot be cleaned, cleaning and treating the remaining surfaces and drying the area so mould does not return.
Scope of work
A written description of the work required to restore a property, including the areas affected, what will be dried, cleaned, removed or repaired. Insurers and assessors use it to approve a claim.
Soot
The fine black residue left by fire and smoke. Soot is acidic and continues to stain and corrode surfaces until it is properly cleaned.
Structural drying
Drying the building itself, including subfloors, wall frames and cavities, with air movers and dehumidifiers, guided by moisture readings, rather than only drying the visible surfaces.
Thermal imaging
Using an infrared camera to show temperature differences on surfaces. Cooler areas can indicate hidden moisture behind walls, ceilings and floors, which is then confirmed with a moisture meter.
Underlay
The cushioning layer beneath carpet. Underlay absorbs and holds a large amount of water, so it is often replaced after water damage while the carpet is dried and re-laid.
Water damage restoration
Returning a property to its pre-damage condition after a leak or flood by stopping the source, extracting water, drying the structure, cleaning and repairing what was affected.
Water extraction
Removing standing water and water held in carpet and flooring with pumps and extraction units. Extraction is the first and fastest step in drying a property.
Wicking
The way water travels upward and sideways through porous materials such as plasterboard and timber, which is why damage often extends beyond the visibly wet area.
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