Property · Damage
Property Damage Glossary
Definitions for the words that show up in restoration bids, water damage estimates, mold quotes, fire/smoke scopes, sewer cleanup invoices, and insurance-adjacent documents.
These definitions help you read a scope. They do not interpret a specific policy, contract, code requirement, or claim decision.
Plain English
What do these damage words mean?
Use this when a cleanup company, contractor, or insurance paper uses words you do not know yet.
Start here: Search for the word, then go back to the cost tool, checklist, or quote checker.
Mitigation
Work that stops damage from getting worse, such as source control, extraction, tarping, board-up, drying, or stabilization.
Restoration
Cleanup and stabilization work that dries, cleans, removes, sanitizes, deodorizes, or returns damaged materials toward usable condition.
Reconstruction
Repair work after mitigation, including drywall, flooring, cabinets, trim, paint, electrical, HVAC, finishes, and permits.
Rebuild
A practical term for reconstruction after cleanup. It should be priced separately from emergency mitigation when possible.
Contents
Personal property such as furniture, electronics, clothing, tools, documents, stored items, and unattached belongings.
Pack-out
Removal, inventory, cleaning, storage, or handling of contents while restoration or rebuild work happens.
Dry-out
The drying phase after water damage, usually involving extraction, air movement, dehumidification, monitoring, and moisture readings.
Moisture reading
A tool-based measurement used to check whether a material or cavity is wet, drying, or dry enough by the contractor’s stated standard.
Moisture map
A room-by-room record showing wet areas, materials checked, readings, equipment placement, removals, and completion proof.
Air mover
A drying fan used to move air across or around wet materials.
Dehumidifier
Equipment used to remove moisture from the air during drying.
Air scrubber
Air filtration equipment used in some cleanup, odor, dust, mold, fire, smoke, sewer, or containment situations.
Containment
A work-area barrier or pressure setup used to limit spread of dust, debris, moisture, odor, or contamination.
Antimicrobial treatment
A cleaning or treatment line item sometimes used after water or mold-related cleanup. Ask what it treats and why it is included.
Category 1 water
Generally cleaner water from a sanitary source, but conditions can change with time, materials, and contamination.
Category 2 water
Water with contamination concerns that usually requires more caution, documentation, and cleanup controls.
Category 3 water
Highly contaminated water, often including sewage or floodwater, that should be treated as a qualified cleanup problem.
Sewer backup
Sewage or drain water backing into the home through a toilet, tub, floor drain, or plumbing path.
Floodwater
Rising or surface water entering from outside, often handled differently from interior leaks by insurance policies.
Water backup endorsement
Policy add-on language that may apply to some sewer, drain, or sump backup losses. Exact coverage depends on the policy.
Deductible
The amount the policyholder usually pays before insurance payments, subject to policy terms and coverage decisions.
ACV
Actual cash value, generally replacement cost less depreciation, depending on policy language.
RCV
Replacement cost value, generally the cost to replace damaged property with similar new property, subject to policy terms.
Recoverable depreciation
A holdback that may be released after covered repairs are completed and documented, depending on policy language.
Loss of use
A policy area that may relate to extra living expenses when the home cannot be used after a covered loss.
ALE
Additional living expense, often used for temporary housing and extra costs after certain covered losses. Verify policy language.
Ordinance or law coverage
Coverage that may apply to code-required upgrades after covered damage, if the policy includes it.
Assignment of benefits
Contract language that may transfer certain insurance-payment rights to a provider. Ask qualified local help before signing if unclear.
Lien waiver
A document showing a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier has waived certain lien rights after payment, depending on local law.
Change order
A written change to scope, price, material, timeline, or terms after the original contract or estimate.
Use the glossary with the Damage workflow
The fastest path is still practical: estimate the cost, collect the proof, compare the bid, then decide whether to claim, pay cash, restore, or rebuild.