Water Damage
Files should identify source, cause and resulting damage.
Source of Water
- • Plumbing – water supply, sewer system
- • Natural – surface water (flood), rain
- • Categorize Water – I, II, III [IICRC]
Cause of Water Damage
- • Plumbing – freeze, deterioration, faulty workmanship, blockage
- • Natural – roof leaks, faulty drainage, failed seals
Resulting Damage
- • Nexus between source and material
Water Categories
IICRC S500 separates into three categories:
- I Clean Water – no immediate health risk
II Gray Water – may contain organic or chemical pollutants (class I may become Class II if not remediated in first 48 hours)
III Black Water – contains bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemicals
Water Damage Classifications
Category and Class Determine Reparability
Class 1 Water Damage - Slow Evaporation Rate: Water losses that affect only
part of a room or area, or losses with lower porosity materials (e.g.,
plywood, particle board, structural wood, VCT, concrete). Little or no wet
carpet or padding is present. Minimum moisture is absorbed by
materials, releasing moisture slowly.
Class 2 Water Damage - Fast Evaporation Rate: Water losses that affect an entire room or carpet and cushion. Water has wicked up walls 12" - 24”.
There is moisture remaining in structural materials (e.g., plywood,
particleboard, structural wood, concrete).
Class 3 Water Damage - Fastest Evaporation Rate: Water may have come from overhead. Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and sub-floor
in the entire area are saturated.
Class 4 Water Damage - Specialty Drying Situations: These consist of wet materials with very low 3/porosity (hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete,
stone, crawlspace). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which
requires very low specific humidity.
Printable PDF - Water Damage