Types and Classes of Water Damage in Florida

Water damage is a recurring problem in homes and commercial properties in Fort Myers, Florida. When faced with a water problem, it is ideal to handle the damage as quickly as possible to prevent things from getting worse, such as building materials degrading over time or mold and mildew growth. Considering these facts, a property owner may be tempted to deal with the damage on their own, but this is discouraged to do so as the damage could be worsened by improper cleanup and restoration.

Armstrong Water Mold Cleanup & Restorations have the equipment and know-how to deal with your Fort Myers water damage problem. Basically, water comes in different types and categories and each type/category may require specific methods or equipment for it to be removed thoroughly. Read them below.

Types of Water Damage

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has designated three main water types/categories which could cause damage in your property.

• Category 1: Clean Water Damage - This type of water comes from sanitary sources and is the least severe type on the IICRC scale. Sources of Category 1 water may include broken water supply lines, sink and bathtub overflows, kitchen faucet leaks, or toilet tank failure.
• Category 2: Grey Water Damage - Grey water may be contaminated and may cause sickness if ingested. Sources of grey water includes toilets, washing machines, or sump pumps. Disinfection of affected items is necessary after experiencing Category 2 water damage. If left unattended, Category 2 water may escalate into Category 3.
• Category 3: Black Water Damage - This is the most severe and most unsanitary type of water damage in the IICRC scale. Black water contains significant bacteria, sewage and other contaminants, and may cause serious health risks. Category 3 water can come from sewage backups, floodwaters and even ground water. Since it contains a significant amount of pathogens, there is a need for thorough property and item disinfection after Category 3 water damage happens.

Classes of Water Damage

The class of water damage, on the other hand, describes the amount of water involved and its anticipated evaporation rate which depends on the type and amount of wet materials in the affected area. There are four classes of water damage ( check IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration for more details):

• Class 1 - This describes water damages that affects only a small area. The affected material absorbs only a very small amount of moisture as the water involved in minimal. This makes water damage repair easy.
• Class 2 - Class 2 involves a large amount of water, which may make it difficult to repair. It can affect carpets or cushions and may leave residual moisture in structural materials.
• Class 3 - Water in Class 3 stems from overhead sources, soaking ceilings, walls, insulation and carpeting, and may necessitate demolition.
• Class 4 - This is the most difficult class of water damage to deal with and may require special restoration and removal methods. Class 4 may affect plaster, concrete, hardwood floors and those with a very low permeance porosity. It could result to longer dry times.

Performing a do-it-yourself project without knowledge about the type and class of the water involved may do more harm than good, which is why it is important to call a professional to mitigate the situation right away.

Contact Armstrong Water Mold Cleanup & Restorations for Water Damage Restoration in Fort Myers, Florida

There are many factors involved in the water damage restoration process and it takes the right person to do it properly. If your home or business facility in Fort Myers, Florida
experiences water damage, contact the team at Armstrong Water Mold Cleanup & Restorations right away. Armstrong is an experienced, certified, licensed and insured general contractor and a specialist in providing water damage, mold remediation and all levels of disaster restoration in Southwest Florida since 2005. We are IICRC Certified in Water Damage Restoration, Applied Structural Drying, Fire & Smoke Restoration and Applied Microbial Remediation (#100623) and are certified to be Lead Safe by the US Environmental Protection Agency (#NAT-F155753-1, issued 7-10-2015). We also work with your insurance company to maximize the covered benefits for property restoration. 

All workmanship is 100% guaranteed. Call Armstrong Water Mold Cleanup & Restorations at (239) 531-2000 or contact us online. We are located in 1230 Hemingway Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33912. We offer a FREE inspection and estimate and respond in 2 hours or less.