As mentioned by the IICRC, an international organization dedicated to restoration and cleaning standards, there are four water and flood damage classes. Quite a lot of restoration companies use this classification system to help determine how much water they will be handling, the amount of absorption and damage, and how long it’s going to actually take for the property to dry so that repairs can start.
Class 1 Water Damage
You could simply think of Class 1 damage as a sort of water damage best-case scenario. There is minimal water absorption in this classification of water damage, and few highly porous materials (only about 5% or less) have been impacted. Class 1 damage is also normally originating from clean water, suggesting there is little or no contamination. Class 1 damage can be instantly rectified in most cases once the water is removed.
Class 2 Water Damage
The next classification of water damage is Class 2. Class 2 water damage is similar to Class 1 but occurs when more porous materials – between 5 and 40% – are present in the impacted area. This classification of water damage generally befalls when pipes inside of walls leak or burst, soaking drywall or insulation. In these conditions, more time is necessary to remove the damaged material and completely dry the structures underneath.
Class 3 Water Damage
Class 3 water damage, on the other hand, is usually the result of a major weather event or water main break. When water damage is classified as Class 3, that means that floodwater, storm damage, or other major water event has impacted the structure to a significant degree. Walls, floors, and other areas are likely soaked through, and well beyond 40% of the impacted area consists of porous materials. The water may or may not be clean, which would call for disinfecting and regular clean-up and restoration. This makes repairing a home after Class 3 water damage an arduous affair.
Class 4 Water Damage
Last but not least, Class 4 damage occurs when both porous and non-porous materials have absorbed huge quantities of water. Class 4 damage is mostly the consequence of flooding, whether arising from a storm or other major event. A classification of 4 implies that even the home’s wooden structures are compromised, and getting that structure completely dry can probably be very lengthy and laborious. It is furthermore too pricey. It’s necessary to hire a restoration company with more than sufficient experience and specialized equipment to bring about the job really well with respect to Class 4 water damage.
Dealing with water damage of any type, whether severe or not, could be laborious for rental property owners and their tenants, too. It makes a lot of sense to rely on the professionals to help get things back into good working order in such positions. If your rental property needs more time and attention than you can really give or spare, give us a call. Our expert Little Elm property managers will partner up with you and your tenants to get your property restored as quickly and efficiently as possible. Contact us online today.