Water losses and such as overflowed toilets and sewage issues are categorized by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC ) in three categories:

• 1 clean water
• 2 grey water
• 3 black or sewage water

Examples of Category 1 (clean water) are water from a supply line, water from a faucet, and water from the tank of a toilet. In general, Category 1 water is water that you could drink safely.

Examples of Category 2 (grey water) are water inside a washing machine being used with detergent, clean water that has been standing for a few hours to a day or so but does not have a smell or discoloration, and water from the bowl of a toilet (not below the trap). In general, Category 2 water is water that you would not drink but could be safe to the touch.

Examples of Category 3 water (black or sewage water) are water from the outside of a structure that has run along the ground or a surface (could be contaminated with chemicals, biomaterial, etc), seawater (contains much biomaterial), and water from below the trap of the toilet (could contain sewage). In general, Category 3 water is water that is very harmful for consumption and can cause serious health issues if put in contact with the skin directly.

A water loss can change from a Category 1 to a Category 2 to a Category 3 water loss depending on time and contaminants that the water comes in contact with. For example, if the water is from a clean water source and sits un-remediated for say a day or 2, an odor can be smelled. Usually nothing visually will be seen at this point. This is typical of changing to a Category 2 water loss. If left longer, microbial growth will occur and be seen visually and the odor will become much greater. At this point it can be deemed a Category 3 water loss. Similarly, if a water loss occurs on a second floor and seeps down through the ceiling of the first floor, hitting contaminated insulation in-between, it may turn to a Category 2 or a Category 3 water loss.

Category 3 (black or sewage water) poses serious health issues and therefore needs to be remediated in a special way. When we remediate, relative to carpet removal, the IICRC states that in a Category 1 water loss carpet and pad can be dried in place, in a Category 2 water loss the pad needs to be removed but the carpet can be saved, and in a Category 3 water loss that the carpet and pad must be removed. Additionally, in a Category 3 water loss anything non-structural and porous needs to be removed, not dried in place (i.e. drywall touching the CAT 3 water, cabinet boxes, baseboards, trim material, etc). Structural components such as stud walls and joists can be saved, dried, and remediated with a combination of antimicrobial application and surfactants.

In addition, our technicians will use different personal protective equipment to guard them against harm. They may use a combination of rubber boots, tyvek suites, thick or thin waterproof / tear resistant gloves, half / full face masks, and HEPA filtration / vacuuming.