Water damage events can have a devastating effect on homes and businesses, leading to expensive repairs, safety risks, and other issues. One of the key factors when assessing a water event is the degree of contamination in the water itself. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has established categories for different types of water damage that indicate the type of contamination present. In this blog post, we'll look at what category 3 water events are and why they are so important.
What is A Category 3 Water Event?
The IICRC categorizes water damage into three primary groups: Categories 1, 2, and 3. Category 1 describes clean water from sources such as supply lines or pipes, while Category 2 involves some level of contamination from sources like the dishwasher or washing machine overflows. The most serious category is Category 3 which involves highly contaminated water that may contain a variety of bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms. These waters are considered “black” due to the high level of contaminants present and may be caused by sewage backups, flooding from rivers or streams, or ocean flooding.
