In this scenario, the water has been severely contaminated. It comprises germs and dangerous toxins. This will include raw sewage, also known as black water. It may be deadly as well, although It’s not merely potentially harmful. 

Remediation in these cases have to be complete, or else there could be a continuing risk to occupants of the building. This sort of water comes from sewer backups, polluted water or water which contain unsafe amounts of pesticides and heavy metals.

If remediation isn’t completed fast, then categories 1 and 2 can turn into class 3. Standing water is a prime spot for bacteria and germs grow and to breed. Spores can turn into mould, which may result in a major health risk. What may have been a very simple and easy cleanup job may turn into something costly and more extensive if not addressed quickly.

The quantity of water which has affected the property has been categorized into four categories by the IICRC.

Class 1: 

This is when the saturation of water is relatively low, or has come into contact with surfaces that are not porous and thus not readily damaged by water. Once the water is removed in the remediation process, there may be little or even evaporation or no work needed to complete the job. 

This might be when water leaks onto a concrete or tiled floor that is sealed.

Class 2: 

For this class to be applicable, the surfaces affected must be more porous than with the previous category. Water is absorbed into the material, which means there’s more potential for damage. There is still a significant amount of effort that must be put to dry the area, after the flood water is removed. This sometimes happens with gypsum board surfaces and wood flooring.

Class 3: 

This is when there’s a significant quantity of water that comes into contact with very porous materials. This category requires the quantity of evaporation to make sure that the water damage restoration process is followed correctly. This is when the building is soaked throughout, and upholstery and carpets have absorbed water. Flooded underground areas may fall into this class.

Class 4: 

Occasionally, the intruding water can be especially difficult to remove, for a variety of reasons. This can make the water damage restoration process difficult and may add time and money to the result. 

It may be that difficult spaces have flooded to clean, or highly porous materials have affected. Effort or equipment may be needed to get the job done properly. This could be when enclosures or any substance have been diluted, or when sewage absorbs into wood flooring or the walls of a building.

The sort of water damage and also the classification of the saturation must be made before any work can be performed. Once those are determined, then the water damage restoration contractor can start to repair the damage. 

There are procedures and different processes that have to be followed depending on the sort of flooding and damage. Among the most important steps in the process is properly assessing the classification and kind of damage so that the right equipment and techniques are used.