If your property suffers from water damage, it’s essential to get it addressed immediately. Excess moisture can cause irreversible damage in as little as 24 hours—which is usually when mould starts to grow and eat at your walls, furniture, and other belongings.
That being said, it’s also critical to understand the extent of the water damage that you may be facing. While it’s always best to contact a restoration professional, knowing the real scope of the water damage helps you formulate the best possible course of action in the long run.
According to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, water damage is classified under three categories and four classes. The categories refer to the type of water that has damaged your residential or commercial property. The higher the number, the less sanitary the water becomes—which means that the water may cause health hazards just by being around it!
The Water Damage Categories
Category 1: Clean Water
The most common category of water damage comes from leaking faucets and broken water lines that transport clean water. Category 1 water damage usually comes from properties flooded by broken water supply lines, a busted tap, or a malfunctioning water closet.
Category 1 water damage is clean water—but it can quickly progress to Category 2 or Category 3 if not addressed immediately!
Category 2: Gray Water
Gray water refers to water that has been used for anything other than to transport waste. This includes water used for laundry, bathing, dishwashing, handwashing, and general cleaning purposes.
Category 2 water damage means that your home is likely flooded with water containing unsafe microorganisms or toxic chemicals, which should be addressed immediately.
Category 3: Black Water
Black water is the most unsanitary of the three categories. It refers to the water used to transport human and animal waste.
Category 3 water damage pertains to residential and commercial properties flooded with water coming from backed-up sewage and other similar situations. This type of water damage is an urgent concern because these fluids are teeming with unsafe microorganisms that will cause extreme illness or even death in people who come into contact with it.
The Water Damage Classes
Meanwhile, the classes describe the severity of the damage. The higher the class, the more water damage your property has sustained. A higher number usually means that the problem should be handled by water damage repair specialists, since leaving any deep-seated moisture will compromise the structural integrity of your property.
Class 1 – It is the least severe damage class and is the easiest to deal with, as it has a slow absorption rate, and the damage is contained in one area.
Class 2 –This type of water damage affects the entire room or area, with moisture on cushions and carpeting. In this case, the moisture has already wicked at least 12 inches up the walls.
Class 3 – In these instances, the wetness has already saturated everything, seeping through the ceilings, walls, insulation, carpets, and even the sub-floors. The source of moisture might have come from upper levels or a leaky roof, and water has seeped up the walls higher than 24 inches.
Class 4 – Such water damage has already permeated hardwood, plaster, and concrete. Class 4 water damage repairs typically need specialized equipment, such as dehumidifiers, and may take extended periods to remedy.
Conclusion
Professional flood restoration services will assess the category and class of water damage to determine the best possible course of action. However, if you know the definite category of the water damage, it’s best to relay this to your water damage repair provider. This allows them to work faster and get to undoing the water damage sooner.
Nationwide Restorations offers water damage restoration in Edmonton. We also do asbestos abatement, fire and smoke damage restoration, mould damage repairs, and more for both residential and commercial clients. Contact us today to learn more about our services!