Categories and Classes of Water Damage

Dealing with water damage can be a daunting task. It can be overwhelming and unending. When your home experiences water damage as a result of a flood or other natural disaster, it is important to act quickly in order to clean up and start the restoration process as soon as possible. That’s why it’s never wise to deal with water damage alone. You will need help from an expert water damage restoration company in St. Augustine. Although you may need help, it’s always better to know the different categories of water damage that you are dealing with. ServiceMaster by PWF is here to help you understand the three (3) types of water damage as designated by the IICRC (the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification).

Category 1: Clean Water

This type of water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include broken appliances or sink overflows. However, Category 1 can quickly degrade into Category 2 if not dealt with right away.

Category 2: Grey Water

Contaminated and may cause sickness if ingested. This type of water contains toxic microorganisms that can cause serious threats to our health. Examples of this are broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage.

Category 3: Black Water

Water that contains significant pathogens and is grossly unsanitary. It could cause severe illness or death if ingested. Also called “black water“. Black water category includes sewer backups, flooding from rivers and streams, toilet overflows, and stagnant water that has begun to support bacterial growth.

Classes of Water Damage

The class of damage is important when assessing water damage repair options. 

Class 1 is the least harmful form of damage. Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation.

Class 2 has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair is more difficult when it involves class 2 damage.

Class 3 may need to have a lot more demolition involved. It has the fastest rate of evaporation. In this case, the water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture. Ceilings may be wet and damaged, along with other materials such as wet insulation and behind the walls.

Class 4 requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete. Special drying methods and longer dry out times are usually involved in these types of situations. This type is the most complicated and hardest to deal with.

What Is Black Water And What Should I Do About It?

Do not run water or use toilets in affected and unaffected areas until the source of the blockage            can be identified and corrected.

Stop up all drain openings to limit the chances of further backup. Additional pressure may be                  needed to be applied to keep openings sealed.

Block toilets with rags or a mop if possible.

Stay away from affected areas so contamination doesn’t spread.

If you absolutely have to occupy contaminated areas, wear rubber boots and gloves.

Power down central heating or air conditioning units and cover vents in the affected areas until          they can be looked at.

Leave contaminated items in affected areas and do not take them to clean areas.

Collect contaminated garments and place them in a container or garbage bag.

Don’t attempt to clean anything that may have come into contact with contaminated water.

Completely avoid any water that appears contaminated and wash immediately if you think that              you may have gotten in contact with contaminated water.

If breakers are safely accessible, turn off power in affected areas.

If the source of the water intrusion can be determined, use the shut-off valve to stop the flow.

If you experience or your business experiences a water loss or water damage, call us first, ServiceMaster by Wright is the leading water removal and restoration company in Southwest Florida.

ServiceMaster By Wright Water Extraction, Flood Cleanup, Water Damage Service

Water damage is a tough situation for home and business owners to deal with because the damage can occur in so many different ways. Mother Nature can destroy your home or business through heavy rain or flooding. Sometimes, your property can also experience internal issues, such as pipe leaks or bursts, that can lead to widespread water damage.

If these situations happen, this needs a immediate and crucial action from a professional water damage technician who can perform Water Extraction, Structural Drying, and Dehumidification.

Common Water Damage Scenarios

Any type of water ingress should be taken seriously, and proper water damage restoration or repair is a key part of recovery should your home or business be affected. Here are some common water damage scenarios that can happen to your home or business.

• Flooding and storm damage
• Leaking appliances, water heaters, plumbing, etc.
• Overflowing toilets, bathtubs, and sinks
• Flooded basements
• Tornadoes and thunderstorms
• Hurricanes and tropical storms
• Sewage backups
• Flooding from firefighting efforts

Why do you need professional water damage technicians? It's because they’re faster to any size disaster. These professional water damage technicians must be:

• Dedicated to responding immediately to water emergencies. 
• Highly-skilled to diagnose the origin of the water damage.
• Quick to lessen the damage, limit further damage, and reduce cost.
• Fast turnaround time for responding to any mild or severe water damage cases.
• Highly-trained water damage specialists

These professional water damage technicians must:

• Specialize in water damage restoration
• Have extensive water damage restoration training with an emphasis on monitoring and documenting the drying process until completion.
• Be highly-trained in handling mild to severe cases of water damage.
• Professionally eliminate excess water and moisture.
• Use advanced water restoration equipment and techniques that should be able to detect hidden moisture, quickly remove standing water, and thoroughly clean and dry your home and belongings. 
• Have proper license to operate.
• Know different techniques to handle professional deodorization and sanitizing agents for your comfort and safety.

Although water damage within a home is a major pain to many homeowners, people do not have to feel hopeless at all. ServiceMaster by Wright provides peace of mind with Water Extraction, Structural Drying, and Dehumidification that are available for homeowners. Furthermore, our company is an insurance preferred vendor who can provide excellent cleaning that can prevent mold and mildew from appearing and causing terrible problems. 

24/7/365 Emergency Response

No matter when disaster decides to strike, the team at ServiceMaster by Wright is available seven days a week, 365 days a year, daytime or nighttime.

When in need of a water damage restoration and repair company that does each job correctly, call on ServiceMaster by Wright! Serving customers throughout Bonita Springs, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Englewood, Fort Myers, Longboat Key, Naples, Marco Island, Sarasota, Siesta Key, and Venice, Florida. Contact us at 239-431-9947 or get help now by filling out the form for a free estimate!