Water Damage Mitigation Basics: Understanding Class of Water

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

When a water damage event occurs at your home or business, our mitigation professionals begin the restoration process by inspecting and assessing the extent of damages. Which materials must be removed and replaced and how long the drying process will take depend upon the category and class of water intrusion. Category of water denotes the level of contaminants in the water. Class of water references the size of the affected area and is used to determine how much drying equipment will need to be utilized.  

Class 1 Water Intrusion 

Class one signifies the least amount of water absorption. In this case, the affected wet, porous materials only account for less than five percent of the total floor, wall, and ceiling surface area. Also, the affected materials are considered low evaporation materials. The drying process could take three days or less. 

Examples of Class 1 water intrusions include:

• When there is little to no wet carpet or carpet pad
• A concrete floor that has absorbed small amounts of water
• Low porosity materials like plywood, framing, and concrete have been affected

Class 2 Water Intrusion

Class two is defined by a significant amount of water absorption and a significant rate of evaporation. A class two water loss is one in which five percent to forty percent of the combined floor, wall, and ceiling surface area is affected. The drying process could take three or four days.

Examples of Class 2 water intrusions include:

• When 5% - 40% of carpet, carpet pad, and drywall are saturated
• When water has wicked up the wall less than 24 inches
• When a bathroom sink overflows but is stopped before affecting other rooms 

Class 3 Water Intrusion

Class three is the greatest amount of water absorption by materials. The wet, porous materials total more than forty percent of the combined floor, wall, and ceiling surface area. The drying process could take three to five days. 

Examples of Class 3 water intrusions include:

• When entire carpeted rooms have been affected
• When water has wicked up drywall more than 24 inches high 

Class 4 Water Intrusion 

Class four refers to deeply bound or held water that causes significant damages. Materials present in a class 4 loss have very low porosity or multiple layers. The drying process could take five days or longer. 

Examples of Class 4 water intrusions include:

• Saturated plaster walls 
• Drenched hardwood flooring with another layer of flooring underneath, on top of the subfloor
• Deeply saturated stone or brick

At SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville, our water damage restoration technicians receive certifications for applied structural drying from IICRC, a non-profit restoration industry organization. Our certified, experienced crew is available 24/7/365 for all water damage emergencies. For assistance, please dial 985-871-5375.