When water damage strikes your home or business, prompt action is critical to prevent serious issues from developing. But the actions required as part of water damage restoration will depend on the specific type of water damage you experience. There are three categories of water damage, each referring to a different level of contamination and the associated health risks posed by the contaminants in the water. In addition, there are four classes of water damage based on the scope of the damage and the expected rate of evaporation of water from the materials they’ve saturated.
When you work with your local FLEET company, our team will assess the type of water damage impacting your home or business. Based on the category and class of water damage, we’ll develop a customized restoration plan to ensure all cleanup is handled properly and safe conditions are restored.
Category 1 Water Damage
Category 1 water damage involves “clean water” from sanitary sources that don’t pose a significant health risk. Common sources of category 1 water damage include:
- Broken supply lines
- Overflow from clean fixtures such as sinks or bathtubs
- Leaking pipes
- Broken toilet tanks and toilet bowls that don’t contain additives or contaminants
- Rainwater
- Snowmelt
- Condensation
This type of water damage is considered the least severe since there is no contaminated water, and wet materials can generally be dried easily without any risk of other potential hazards developing at a later date.
Category 2 Water Damage
Category 2 water damage involves “gray water.” This water contains contaminants that could cause discomfort or illness due to exposure or consumption. Gray water also contains potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms. Common sources of category 2 water damage include:
- Discharge from washing machines or dishwashers
- Overflows from toilet bowls (without fecal matter)
- Sump pump collapses
- Sprinkler water for fire protection
- Kitchen or bathroom sink water contaminated with soap, grease or food residue
- Water from an overflowing shower or bathtub containing soap scum and body oils
This water damage is more serious than category 1 water damage since the contaminants found in gray water can potentially result in health hazards if they’re not properly addressed in a timely manner.
Category 3 Water Damage
Category 3 water damage comes from “black water” that contains harmful pathogens and toxic substances such as pesticides, organic matter, regulated materials or heavy metals. This water is highly contaminated and requires prompt action to mitigate the potentially serious health risks associated with these toxic materials.
Common sources of category 3 water damage include:
- Sewage backups
- Toilet backflows originating beyond the toilet trap
- Flooding from rivers
- Contaminated ground surface water
- Septic backup
- Stagnant standing water that has been left untreated for extended periods of time, resulting in microbial growth
- Water contaminated with hazardous materials from chemical spills
- Water contaminated with urine, feces or bodily fluids from animals
- Water contaminated by mold or bacteria
Category 3 water damage is considered the most hazardous. Due to its potential to cause severe health issues, any contact with category 3 water should be avoided. Professional water damage restoration is essential to restore safe conditions at your home or business. Often, contaminated items and materials will need to be removed, and your property will need to undergo significant disinfecting after all water is properly dried.
What Are the Four Classes of Water Damage?
While the categories of water damage refer to the water source and the presence of toxic contaminants, the classes of water damage refer to the extent of damage to your property. When determining the class of water damage, restoration experts will assess the total area covered by water and the materials impacted by the damage.
- Class 1 – This is the most minimal water damage in terms of scope. It will typically only cover part of a room or area, and damage to materials is usually minor with only minimal water absorption.
- Class 2 – Water damage impacts an entire room and typically saturates materials such as carpets and cushions. Water seepage up walls doesn’t exceed two feet, and there is some moisture retained in structural components of the property.
- Class 3 – Water damage typically comes from overhead sources, and ceilings, walls, carpets, subflooring and insulation throughout the affected area become saturated with water.
- Class 4 – This is the most extensive water damage in terms of scope, and it typically involves situations where the damage impacts water resistant materials such as concrete, brick and stone. It often requires specialized treatment methods and longer drying times.
24/7 Emergency Restoration Services in your area
Regardless of the scope of damage or the level of contamination of the water, it’s critical to work with an experienced water damage restoration company to prevent the development of more serious health and safety issues at your property. Time is also of the essence, especially if you’re dealing with category 3 water damage. The longer you leave standing water unaddressed, the more damage it will cause to your property.
your local FLEET company has been the leading water damage restoration company in your area since 1954. Our team offers 24/7 emergency response water damage restoration services, and we’ll arrive shortly after receiving your call ready to begin work.
All our technicians are fully licensed, bonded and insured, and we have extensive experience handling all categories and classes of water damage. When we arrive at your home or business, our team will assess the type of water damage to determine the specific action plan needed to restore safe conditions. When you work with your local FLEET company, you’ll have peace of mind that the entire water damage restoration process is handled correctly and your property will return to its pre-damaged condition.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. your local FLEET company serves customers in your area.