CLASSIFYING WATER DAMAGE

There is little damage to carpet or cushioning material, the damage was confined to a small area, or the area was only wet for a short period of time. With class 1 damage, minimum moisture is absorbed by these materials, which release moisture slowly.

Water has spread throughout the room and has wicked up the walls less than 24 inches. Carpet and pad  is wet in at least one whole room. Water is absorbed into sub-floor, framing members, etc...

Walls, ceiling, floor coverings, sub-floor have incurred sustained damage and saturated with water.  Often the cause of flooding has come from overhead from damaged upstairs plumbing running inside of walls or ceiling.

May require specialty equipment.

To conventional air movers. Advanced techniques and specialty equipment is required. 

Examples of bound water include:

• Water soaked hardwood floor planks
• Water wicked in sheet rock walls covered with vinyl wall covering, paneling or oil based paint. 

Inaccessible areas include the cavities beneath and behind cabinets, inside walls and crawl spaces.

Sources:

• Falling rain usually considered clean water (Category 1)
• Leak in ceilings as rain contacts dirt, rodent feces etc. (Changes to Category 2 or 3)
• Washing machine, dishwasher clean water from hookup (Category 1 ) water from drain (Gray water: Category 2)
• Water heater (Category 1) unless floor is dirty or has been neglected
• Toilet over flow with urine (no feces).      (Grey water: Category 2)
• Sewer backup with feces (Black water: Category 2)

 May contain 100s of bacteria and virus