Water Damage Glossary

Air Mover: Air movers are specialized fans that promote evaporation and quickly dry out carpets, carpet pads, sub flooring, drywall, walls, and other building materials.

Boroscope: A boroscope is a snake-like tool with a camera attached to its end used by water damage restoration technicians to look for mold inside walls, crawl spaces, ceilings, and other hard to reach spaces.

Category 1 Water: Water from a clean source that does not pose substantial harm to humans.

Category 2 Water: Also called gray water, this water contains chemical, biological, and/or physical contamination. It has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if consumed by or exposed to humans.

Category 3 Water: Unsanitary water with pathogenic agents that can cause severe discomfort, sickness, or even death if consumed by or exposed to humans. Water in this category includes sewage, seawater, ground surface water, and floodwaters.

Class 1: A classification that indicates the least amount of water, absorption and evaporation.

Class 2: A classification that indicates a large amount of water, absorption and evaporation

Class 3: A classification that indicates the greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation.

Class 4: A classification that indicates a specialty drying situation

Dehumidifier: A dehumidifier reduces moisture in the air and can work together with an air mover to quick dry building materials.

Moisture Meter: A tool used for measuring the moisture level in building materials.

Thermal Hygrometer: A tool used for measuring the temperature and humidity levels indoors.

Water Damage Restoration: The process of returning a flooded property to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration includes extracting water, drying the environment, dehumidifying inside air, cleaning and disinfecting any affected items, applying deodorizing detergents, mold inhibitors, and solvents, and repairing damaged structures.