If there is any water damage in your Anacortes rental property, you may be looking for a restoration company to help you with the clean-up. To ensure that you hire a company with the right expertise, it helps if you first understand the different classifications of water damage and how that will affect both your repair bill and repair time. The more you know about water damage classification, the more informed decisions you can make throughout the restoration process.
According to the IICRC, an international organization dedicated to restoration and cleaning standards, there are four water and flood damage classes. Most restoration companies use this classification system to determine how much water they will be dealing with, the amount of absorption and damage, and the amount of time it will take for the property to dry so they can start repairing.
Class 1 Water Damage
You can think of Class 1 damage as the best-case scenario for water damages. There is minimal water absorption in this classification of water damage, and few highly porous materials (only about 5% or less) have been impacted. Because Class 1 damage is usually caused by clean water, this means there is little to no contamination. Class 1 damage is fairly easy to repair 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. Leaking pipes or pipe bursts inside of walls that then soak drywall or insulation is the most common cause of this classification of water damage. Since there is a need to remove the damaged material and completely dry the structures underneath, these situations take more time to complete.
Class 3 Water Damage
Class 3 water damage often happens as a result of a major weather event or water main break. With a Class 3 water damage classification, you can expect that floodwater, storm damage, or other major water event has had a significant impact on the structure. Walls, floors, and other areas are likely soaked through, and more than 40% of the impacted area consists of porous materials. Aside from regular clean-up and restoration, disinfecting might be needed since the water may or may not be clean. This makes repairing a home after Class 3 water damage a time-consuming affair.
Class 4 Water Damage
Lastly, there is Class 4 damage where both porous and non-porous materials have absorbed large quantities of water. Class 4 damage is common after flooding, whether due to a storm or a major event. This means even the home’s wooden structures are compromised, and drying the entire structure can be very time-consuming and complex. It is also often very costly. This is why Class 4 water damage has to be handled by a restoration company with enough experience and specialized equipment.
Experiencing any type of water damage can be difficult for rental property owners, as well as their tenants. It makes sense to call on professionals to help you get things back in working order in such situations. If your rental property needs more time and attention than you have to spare, give us a call. Our expert Anacortes property managers will work with you and your tenants to get your property restored as quickly and efficiently as possible. Contact us online today.
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