Household water damage can be devastating, depending on the severity of the problem. But with the right water damage restoration team on your side, the process of restoring your home to its pre-damage condition needn’t be a stressful, frustrating experience. Curious what goes into determining the severity of household water damage? The experts at Kiser Construction have the details below.

Categories of Water Involved in Household Damage

The first step in any water damage restoration process is assessing the extent of the damage. Water restoration contractors rely on moisture sensors and meters to determine the severity of the problem and identify all damaged household components. This equipment measures the moisture content of ceilings, walls, floors, and other components inside the affected room(s).

Because different water sources can cause varying levels of damage, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) classifies water damage into three categories:

●        Category 1. This is often referred to as “clean” water damage because the water involved is clean, clear, and potable. Typically, it comes from a clean source, such as a damaged water supply line.

●        Category 2. This is also referred to as “grey” water damage because the water involved contains contaminating substances that may cause illness or irritation with physical contact or ingestion. This type of water may come from household appliances, toilet bowls (with no feces contamination), bathtubs, aquariums, etc. 

●        Category 3. This is also referred to as “black” water damage because this type of water is highly unsanitary. If ingested, black water can cause severe illness or even death because it typically originates from a backed-up sewer or other bacteria-infested sources.

Classes of Damage in Water Damage Restoration

Beyond identifying the type of water involved in the damage, water restoration contractors also determine the severity of the damage according to the following four classes:

●        Class 1: Water damage that only impacts a portion of a room is typically considered Class 1 damage, the least harmful type. Class 1 damage also features the least amount of water, absorption, and evaporation, which means it requires a less extensive effort to remedy. If the damage comprises a large area, the materials within that area have absorbed little to no moisture. And, if there is carpet present, the pad and carpet have also absorbed little to no moisture.

●        Class 2: This class of damage involves a large area, typically an entire room. It also involves a significant amount of water, absorption, and evaporation. If the room contains carpet, it is wet, as is the pad beneath it. Class 2 damage also includes water damage that extends no further than 24 inches up the walls in the affected room. There will also be moisture present in the room’s structural materials, as well as in the subsurface soil.

●        Class 3: This class of damage involves the greatest concentration of water, absorption, and evaporation. In this damage class, an entire room or area, including walls, ceilings, insulation, carpet padding, carpet, and subfloor is saturated with water. In many cases, the water that causes this type of damage comes from an overhead source.

●        Class 4: This class of damage is reserved for extensive water damage to materials with low porosity that don’t traditionally absorb a lot of moisture. Class 4 damage requires special water damage restoration techniques, as well as more extensive drying times than any other class of damage. There are typically deep pockets of water saturation that require specific humidity and special methods to remedy.

Kiser Construction: Your Twin Cities Water Damage Restoration Experts

If your home has been the unfortunate victim of water damage, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team at Kiser Construction for help. We specialize in fire, storm, and water damage restoration for Twin Cities homeowners, and we can work with your insurance company to ensure you get the coverage you need and deserve. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact our Elk River, MN office at 763-633-2010 or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch.

If your home recently incurred water, fire, or storm damage, and you need emergency restoration services, please call us on our 24/7 emergency line at 612-518-8852.