Is mitigation the same thing as restoration?

Not quite. Mitigation is the emergency phase: stopping the water, extracting it, removing what cannot be saved and drying the structure. Restoration or rebuild is the later phase of replacing drywall, flooring, cabinets and paint. Some contractors do both, and some homeowners hire different firms for each.

Why does the estimate list both ACV and RCV?

Many policies first pay a depreciated amount and release the remainder after the work is completed and documented. How that applies depends on your policy, so ask your adjuster to walk through the numbers on your specific claim.

Burst Pipe and Water Mitigation Glossary for Denver Owners

Plumbing terms

Curb stop: A valve on the service line near the property line, usually operated by the water provider, that shuts off water to the whole property.
Service line: The pipe that brings water from the main in the street to the building. Ask your water provider who is responsible for which section.
Gate valve: An older style of valve with a round handle that takes several turns to close. Can seize after years without use.
Ball valve: A valve with a lever handle that closes with a quarter turn. Often recommended as a main shutoff.
PEX: Flexible plastic supply pipe common in newer homes and repipes. More tolerant of freezing than rigid pipe, but it can still fail at fittings.
Galvanized pipe: Steel pipe coated with zinc, common in older homes. Corrodes from the inside over time.
Frost-free sillcock: An outdoor faucet with its valve placed inside the heated house to reduce freezing risk.

Terms on the drying side describe how water is removed from the building and how progress is measured. If a contractor uses a term you do not understand, ask them to explain it and how it applies to your house specifically.

Insurance vocabulary is the hardest to interpret, because the meaning depends on your actual policy. Treat the definitions below as a starting point for questions, not as a statement of what your policy covers.

Drying and insurance terms

Mitigation: Work to stop damage from getting worse: water extraction, removing wet materials, and drying. Separate from rebuilding.
Air mover: A high-velocity fan aimed at wet surfaces to speed evaporation.
LGR dehumidifier: A low grain refrigerant dehumidifier, designed to pull more moisture from air than a household unit.
Dry standard: Moisture readings from unaffected materials used as the drying target.
Scope: The written list of work to be done.
Actual cash value (ACV): A payment basis that accounts for depreciation, often paid before replacement cost is released.
Replacement cost value (RCV): The cost to replace with similar new material, subject to policy terms.
Additional living expenses: Policy coverage, if included, for extra costs when the home cannot be lived in.

Common questions

Is mitigation the same thing as restoration?: Not quite. Mitigation is the emergency phase: stopping the water, extracting it, removing what cannot be saved and drying the structure. Restoration or rebuild is the later phase of replacing drywall, flooring, cabinets and paint. Some contractors do both, and some homeowners hire different firms for each.
Why does the estimate list both ACV and RCV?: Many policies first pay a depreciated amount and release the remainder after the work is completed and documented. How that applies depends on your policy, so ask your adjuster to walk through the numbers on your specific claim.

General information for Denver, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.