The IICRC divides water intrusion into four categories:
- Category 1: Where a minimal amount of water has streamed onto materials that are predominately reduced porosity. This category of water damage calls for minimal reduction, and little dampness is left after the mass of the water is gotten rid of, leaving a small quantity of evaporation is needed for finishing the drying. Examples are a ruptured hot water storage tank on a secured overflowed toilet or a concrete floor on a tile flooring.
- Category 2: Where a significant quantity of water was released, as well as the subjected products, are the tool to high porosity. There is a higher absorption of water into the products, as well as the water damage procedure is lengthened by the quantity of water that needs to be removed and extended drying time. Instances would be a burst pressurized water line inside a plasterboard wall surface, or a wood floor joist system.
- Category 3: Where a large amount of water, no matter what its category is, is taken in by very permeable products causing the highest rate of evaporation needed to impact the water reconstruction process. Examples are a storm-forced leakage, which floods a building’s interior, as well as soaks carpeted locations, or broken water pipe filling up an underground parking area.
- Category 4: Where water intrudes and is entrapped by constructing products, as well as assemblies, which makes the repair procedure challenging, taxing, as well as expensive. Affected locations are extremely permeable or firmly constrained and need special techniques and tools, longer drying time, or significant vapor pressure differentials. Examples would be stormwater flooding of wood, stonework, plaster, or concrete enclosures or a serious sewer back-up that permeates floor and wall systems.
As soon as the category and classification of the water damage have been analyzed by a water clean up company, correct steps can be taken to mitigate and repair the damages. Flood damage to a factory from black water will require different procedures compared to a small spill of water in the office complex. Each series of categories, intensified by the course of water invasion, will require various abilities for assessing the damage, as well as selecting the ideal remediation process and equipment.
