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4 Categories of Water Loss That Your Water Damage Company Should Offer

4 Categories of Water Loss That Your Water Damage Company Should Offer

Jul 05, 2023

After a flood, burst pipe, or another water damage-related situation, people will search online for "water damage company near me." A water damage restoration company offers many services to bring properties back to their pre-damage condition and make the space inhabitable.

These professionals identify the scope of a building's water damage by classifying each job site according to the four water loss classes. These classes differ from the three types or categories of water damage, but they all play a role in water damage restoration. 


3 Water Damage Categories

A water damage category refers to the source of the damage, which contributes to the water's level of contamination. The three categories are:

  1. Category 1: Leaks in this category come from clean water sources that pose no harm to a person's health after exposure. The water can come from many sources, like an overflowing bathtub or a broken pipe. 
  2. Category 2: This water has visible contamination that could harm a person's health if they drink it. The water can contain organic or inorganic materials like leaves, gray water from washing machines, or bacteria. 
  3. Category 3: Category 3 water damage contains toxic or dangerous pathogens that can create serious health or environmental hazards. Examples of category 3 water are seawater floods and sewer backups.


4 Classes of Water Loss

When a person contacts "a water damage company near me," a qualified water damage restoration company and its technicians will consider the property's water damage category to determine its toxicity and source. Then, the technicians will use water loss classes to gauge the extent of the damage before creating their restoration plans. 


Class 1: Slow Evaporation

The first class of water loss pertains to minimal damage in a single room or area. The water absorption isn't substantial and usually involves low porosity materials like:

  • Particle board
  • Concrete
  • Plywood

Restoration companies can easily handle class 1 damages because they don't involve extensive repairs. Considering the devastation water damage can cause a home or business, a class 1 incident is the best-case scenario for a bad situation. 


Class 2: Fast Evaporation

If an entire room experiences water damage, it is a class 2 water loss. Affected materials may include softer fibers like carpeting, upholstery, and wood-grained items. The rate of water evaporation is faster in a class 2 situation than in a class 1 incident, resulting in saturated materials and less than 24 inches of moisture wicking up walls. 

Class 2 water loss can seep into structural wood and particle board, causing significant damage. Since the entire room experiences water saturation, it will take more time and effort to remove water and restore the room. 


Class 3: Fastest Evaporation

During a class 3 water loss event, the source of the water damage may come from above, creating an extreme level of water saturation on multiple surfaces. It can affect an entire building, not only a single room. This classification also has the fastest evaporation rate. 

Causes of class 3 water losses include burst plumbing or water coming into the building from a punctured or collapsed roof. The water can affect everything from insulation to the property's subfloor and personal belongings. 

Contacting a professional restoration company to address the water damage is crucial for a class 3 event. The amount of water and level of saturation turn the building materials into a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.


Class 4: Unique Water Damage Situations

A severe flood with devastating consequences is a class 4 water loss situation. The extreme saturation can cause damage to water-resistant materials like stone and brick. A qualified restoration company would need to handle the entire restoration process, which would include special drying techniques and extended drying times.


How The Restoration Group's Restoration Services Help With Water Damage

The Restoration Group specializes in property cleanup and remediation after unfortunate events. The locally owned and operated company employs trustworthy certified technicians who follow strict guidelines and processes to address water damage restoration, regardless of category and class. 

They offer:

  • Water Damage Assessment
  • Water Removal
  • Removal of Damaged Materials
  • Cleaning, Sanitation, and Deodorization
  • Drying
  • Restoration



Contact The Restoration Group for a Free Quote

When people search for a "water damage company near me" in Highland Park, NJ, they turn to The Restoration Group. The Restoration Group is an IICRC-certified restoration company providing emergency water, storm, and fire damage restoration services and mold remediation. Their local, highly trained technicians are licensed, bonded, insured, and available 24/7.

For a free quote with The Restoration Group or to learn more about water damage restoration, call (732) 334-3620, or contact us via our online form.

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