The Four Classes of Water Damage
7/2/2024 (Permalink)
As experts in water damage restoration, there’s a long list of procedures we follow to ensure we provide the most efficient and effective restoration possible. When you call SERVPRO of Denton after experiencing a water damaging event, we’ll arrive on the scene and assess the situation in order to determine the best route to take for restoring your property back to its preloss condition. Upon our assessment, we categorize the water loss present into one of four water damage categories. This categorization helps describe the water present and the projected evaporation rate based on the amount and type of wet materials, which is used to determine the necessary equipment needed to restore the damage. Below is a broken down explanation of what each class of water damage includes.
Class 4: Specialty Drying Situations
Class four water losses are caused by significant water damage such as a severe flood. This classification can have serious consequences to your property, affecting the structure. With a high level of water present, special care should be taken with drying; the process might take longer than what other classifications require. This category of water damage includes materials with low porosity, like:
- Concrete
- Hardwood
- Rock
- Plaster
- Crawlspaces
Class 3: Fastest Rate of Evaporation
This class of water loss can cause major damage to the entire property. It also has the fastest rate of evaporation out of all four classes. Most disasters of this type originate from water coming from a collapsed ceiling or a burst pipe. A class three water loss should be addressed immediately and professionally restored. Acting swiftly is crucial; waiting could endanger your safety and health as mold and mildew can grow. These losses typically come from overhead and saturate areas such as:
- Carpet
- Ceilings
- Insulation
- Cushions
- Walls
- Subfloor
Class 2: Fast Rate of Evaporation
Class two water damage affects the whole room through materials such as carpets and cushions. This class is identifiable if the whole room has been affected, and the rate of evaporation is fast. Notably, water in this category has moved up the walls no more than 24 inches. In class two water losses, these materials may be severely wet:
- Flooring
- Carpets
- Furniture
- Wood grained materials
Class 1: Slow Rate of Evaporation
Class one is typically the easiest to handle because it only covers a small area.The damage created here is generally minimal, and affected items have only absorbed a slight amount of water. The cost of repairs is also the least expensive, making a class one water loss the best-case scenario. Losses of this class affect only small portions of a room through low-permeance or low-porosity materials, such as:
- Plywood
- Structural wood
- Concrete
- Particle board
- Vinyl composition tile
Whether you experience a class one or class four water loss, SERVPRO of Denton is equipped to restore the damage, no matter how significant and no matter the time of day. If you experience water damage in your home or business, contact SERVPRO of Denton, we’re available 24/7.