If you are encountering water damage in your Winston-Salem rental property, you may be going in search of a restoration company to help you get things cleaned up. To guarantee that you’ve enlisted a company with the right expertise, you should first take in the different classifications of water damage and how that will determine both your repair bill and repair time. By grasping as much as you can in regard to water damage classification, you can make more informed decisions throughout the restoration process.
As stated by the IICRC, an international organization dedicated to restoration and cleaning standards, there are four water and flood damage classes. A lot of restoration companies use this classification system to help determine how much water they will be taking care of, the amount of absorption and damage, and how long is it gonna take for the property to dry so that repairs can begin.
Class 1 Water Damage
You could look into 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 regularly resulting from clean water, signifying there is little or no contamination. Class 1 damage can be rapidly fixed 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 usually transpires once pipes inside of walls leak or burst, soaking drywall or insulation. In these circumstances, more time is warranted 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 over 40% of the impacted area consists of porous materials. The water may or may not be clean, which could necessitate disinfecting and regular clean-up and restoration. This makes repairing a home after Class 3 water damage a lengthy affair.
Class 4 Water Damage
One last thing, Class 4 damage occurs when both porous and non-porous materials have absorbed enough quantities of water. Class 4 damage is oftentimes the effect of flooding, whether because of a storm or other major event. A classification of 4 suggests that even the home’s wooden structures are compromised, and getting that structure completely dry could be very arduous and difficult. It is, in like manner, oftentimes too expensive. It’s significant to hire a restoration company with enough experience and specialized equipment to execute the job perfectly in terms of Class 4 water damage.
Encountering water damage of any type, whether severe or not, can probably be really complex for rental property owners and their tenants, too. It is sensible to rely on the professionals to help get things back into good working order in such conditions. If your rental property needs more time and attention than you can afford to spare, give us a call. Our expert Winston-Salem property managers will team up with you and your tenants to get your property restored as quickly and efficiently as possible. Contact us online today.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
