Categories and Classes of Water Damage

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Dealing with  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 disasters, 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).

There are three categories of water damage:

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Clean water damage (Category 1) – this type involves water that does not pose a threat to humans. This could stem from broken appliances or overflowing sinks, among others.

 

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Greywater damage (Category 2) – this type of water is 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.

 

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Blackwater damage (Category 3) – this type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause serious health issues. Blackwater damage can result from sewage backups and standing water contamination.

At , we offer sewage cleanup for category 3 disasters, well as regular for different types of properties.

Classes of Water Damage

When assessing your options for water damage repair, it is important to take note of the class of water damage.

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Class 1 is the least harmful form of damage. This type of water consists of clean, clear, potable water. Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation.

 

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Class 2 will typically affect an entire room. This has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair for this class is more difficult than Class 1.

 

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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.

 

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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.

Regardless of what category and class of water damage you are dealing with, our experts at ServiceMaster by PWF are here to help. We can get your property back to its pre-loss condition. We offer ,, water leak detectionstructural drying, and more.

Call ServiceMaster by PWF at (866) 599-0871 if you are anywhere in Pinellas, St. Johns, Duval, and Clay areas. We are a 24/7/365 day a year company that is always open and able to assist you anytime.