CATEGORIES OF WATER DAMAGE
Agent, James Lunders
Water damage is one of the most common problems that people experience in their homes. Water may enter through a leak in your roof, from appliance failures such as washing machines, dishwashers, or icemakers, through broken sewer lines, or from major fire extinguishing efforts. The longer the water sits, the more extensive the damage becomes. Immediately addressing water problems can often save thousands of dollars in damage repair costs.
To create a common language and to help allow for standardization between disaster restoration companies and insurance adjusters, water damages are broken down into categories with guidelines for dealing with each. According to the IICRC Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (IICRC S500), there are three categories of water that cause damage in buildings. They are summarized as follows:
Category 1—CLEAN WATER originates from a source that does not pose substantial harm to humans. Examples: burst water pipes, failed supply lines on appliances and vertically falling rainwater
Category 2—GRAY WATER (unsanitary) contains a significant degree of contamination, physical, biological or chemical, and has potential to cause discomfort or sickness if consumed by humans. Examples: small overflow of toilet bowls with no waste, broken aquariums, dishwasher and washing machine overflows
Category 3—BLACK WATER (grossly unsanitary) contains pathogenic agents. Examples: sewage back-ups, floodwater, water that contains chemical or other wastes
Different removal methods and measures are used depending upon the category of water. Water may lurk behind baseboards, sheetrock, and studs and is often missed by homeowners, resulting in bacteria and mold issues. Cleaners will use specialized moisture detection tools to assess the affected areas, determine the extent of the damage, and establish a plan for returning the area to a pre-loss condition. Services will be provided safely, quickly, and with as little inconvenience to the homeowner as possible.