Water Damage: Categories & Classes
Water damage in your home or business is something that should be taken seriously. When a water loss is detected, it is best to act quickly. Calling a business that specializes in water damage, water removal and remediation is paramount to limit damages.
When calling a professional service like R & S Restores Property Restoration, our team will ask you a couple questions to help us assess your need over the phone. These are a few items that should be asked by any professional mitigation company.
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When did the water damage occur?
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When did you first notice it?
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Is there standing water?
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Do you know how the loss occurred?
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Has the source of the water damage been located and stopped?
Once we arrive, our trained technicians will assess the damage. One of the first steps will be to figure out the category and class of the water damage.
Categories of Water Damage
Categories of Water Damage
Assessing the severity of the damage is essential for deciding what is needed to start water damage repair and water removal.
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Category 1 = clean water, or water that does not pose a threat to humans. Possible causes of this type of damage include water supply lines or copper pipe leak.
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Category 2 = gray water. This means that the water is contaminated and may cause illness if consumed. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, dishwasher leak.
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Category 3 = black water. This type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause illness. The possible sources of black water or cat 3 damage include sewage problems and contamination of standing water.
Classes of water damage
The class of damage is significant when evaluating water damage repair options.
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Class 1 is the least harmful form of damage. Building materials absorb only a little of the water from this type of water loss. Water damage repair is the simplest with this type of condition.
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Class 2 has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged. Water damage repair is more challenging when it involves class 2 water damage.
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Class 3 has the fastest rate of evaporation. In this case, the water may come from a toilet overflow on an upper floor, or a busted pipe in the ceiling. Overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture.
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Class 4 requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.
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If you experience or your business experiences a water loss or water damage, call R & S Restores first we are a leading water removal and restoration company in Novi Michigan, dedicated to protecting your most important investment. Call us at 888-545-8514
Water Damage Emergency Tips
While R & S Restores can help with any of your water damage mitigation and restoration needs, there are some helpful water damage emergency tips that may be beneficial while you wait for us to arrive to provide onsite restoration:
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Collect miscellaneous items from floors
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Turn on air conditioning to reduce humidity and increase drying conditions, especially in the summer or when it is humid outdoors
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Water can cause items to leach color, so it is best to remove colored rugs and such from wet carpeting
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If you can, remove artwork, computers, and other vulnerable, sentimental items or paperwork from the affected area
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Lift up wet upholstery and cushions
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To the best of your ability remove excess water via mopping, shop vac or blotting
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Remove lamps and other tabletop items, then wipe excess water from wood surfaces as humidity trapped under them can damage or stain wood
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Try to separate furniture from wet floor via aluminum foil or wood blocks between wet carpet and furniture legs
R &S Restores Is Here for you
When disaster strikes and you need cleanup, restoration, and construction services R &S Restores can take care of all your property damage needs in Novi, Michigan and the greater Metro Detroit area. We are equipped and trained to handle minor to large scale losses in residential. Contact R & S Restores and let us take care of your water damage and help restore your property to pre-loss condition.
