When you call about water damage, one of the first questions is where the water came from. That answer decides how the job is done, what can be saved and what has to come out. Restoration companies sort water into three categories set out in the IICRC water damage standard (S500).
Category 1: clean water
Water from a clean source that carries no harmful contamination when it starts.
- A burst or leaking supply line
- A failed water heater
- A refrigerator or ice maker line
- A sink or tub that overflows with clean tap water
Most materials wet with clean water can be dried in place if drying starts quickly. That includes drywall, wood framing, many cabinets, and often carpet.
Category 2: gray water
Water with enough contamination to make people sick if they touch or swallow it.
- Washing machine or dishwasher discharge
- A toilet overflow with urine but no feces
- A leaking aquarium
Gray water needs cleaning and an antimicrobial treatment along with drying. Carpet pad soaked with gray water is usually replaced. Other materials may be cleaned and dried, depending on how long they were wet.
Category 3: black water
Grossly contaminated water that can carry bacteria, viruses and other harmful material.
- Sewage backups and toilet overflows with feces
- Rising flood water from rivers, creeks or storm surge
- Seawater
Porous materials that black water touches, such as carpet, pad, drywall and insulation, are usually removed and discarded. Crews wear protective gear and set up containment. Stay out of the area, keep children and pets away, and do not try to clean it up yourself.
Clean water does not stay clean
The category can get worse with time. Clean water picks up contamination from the floors, wall cavities and materials it runs through, and bacteria grow fast in warm conditions. In Florida heat, a clean-water leak left for a day or two can become Category 2, and water left standing longer can become Category 3.
That is one more reason to start extraction and drying as soon as the water is stopped. For a water emergency, our crew is dispatched within 1 hour.
Categories and classes are different
You may also hear about Class 1 to Class 4. Category describes how contaminated the water is. Class describes how much got wet and how hard it will be to dry. A small wet patch of carpet is Class 1. Wet hardwood, plaster or concrete is Class 4. Both shape the drying plan.
What it means for your insurance claim
The source of the water affects the claim as well as the work. A sudden supply line burst is treated differently from rising flood water, which needs separate flood insurance. Your carrier decides coverage based on your policy and the cause.
We document the source, the category and the moisture readings from the first visit. We bill your insurance directly, and you are copied on everything we send your adjuster. For emergency water mitigation, the rule is simple. No surprise bill. The cap is in writing.
When to call
When you call, tell us where the water came from. Every call to Rainbow Restoration of Deerwood is answered, 24/7, at (904) 862-7522. Read more about our water damage restoration service, or what to do in the first hour.
