12/29/2025
Let's talk DIY mitigation. We are hearing about coverage denials and the stories are heartbreaking. More than profit, I like helping people. I'm on my fifth career in the helping field. From IT guy, to preacher, to being an EMT/CNA, carpet cleaner/chimney sweep and now, full service restoration contractor with a crew of 9. Here's some knowledge to get you guys going that have the means, attitude, and ability to DIY. As always, liability disclaimers apply. By reading this you assume all risk to yourself and your home. I am not your contractor unless we have a signed contract. I am also not here to argue. I deal with people weekly even before this event, that try to discredit this trade by sharing awful stories or by proclaiming they are a contractor and know better. I usually ask what their trade is and surprise, surprise it's not restoration. Restorers are not carpenters. Restorers are not sheetrockers. Restorers are not electricians, welders, or mechanics. Restorers are restorers. We are building paramedics. We use science to dry wet buildings and remove mold. We have standards for a reason in this trade, and the standards work if you follow them. This is intended as free advice to help Shasta county. If upon reading these posts you determine this is beyond your means and ability and you still want service, please call our office at 768-1555. We are the only restoration contractor in Redding that offers financing, and we are putting together a cash service package.
Restoration has three phases. Stabilization, mitigation, and reconstruction.
Stabilization is the placement of drying equipment to stop the spread of water further into building assemblies. This normally lasts 3 to 7 days depending on conditions. Fans and dehumidifiers are placed to draw out moisture. The logic being we need to bring equalization between indoor humidity and outdoor humidity. Goals for relative humidity inside of a structure in our region are 40% or less. If you have access to lots of fans, you should be placing one every 5 ft. Dehumidifiers have a lot of different specifications depending on who makes them and the price point. Professional restoration dehumidifiers are typically good for every 900 ft². Most consumer units are about half or 1/3 that power. Read the instruction manual for specifics. When visible mold is found during the initial inspection, technicians will place what's called an air filtration device or a mold scrubber. This device continuously cycles air into a HEPA air filter that will trap particles down to 0.3 microns. They will also liberally apply antimicrobial to the affected assemblies. Antimicrobial kills what's on the surface but doesn't kill what's beneath. We also place air scrubbers inside of our containment zones during demolition. If your sheetrock or walls in your home are showing mold, do not set fans or apply air flow. Place dehumidifiers or scrubbers until you can stage containment barriers and start demo.
Thanks for reading part one of my series on DIY mitigation. I'll do another post tomorrow. Stay dry my friends!
