01

 Category 1 – Clean Water

Source: Sanitary water that poses no significant health risk.
Examples:

• Broken water supply lines
• Overflowing sinks or tubs (no contaminants)
• Melting ice or snow

Key Notes:

• Safe to handle if addressed quickly
• Can degrade into Category 2 if left untreated over time

02

Category 2 – Gray Water

Source: Water that contains some contamination and could cause illness if ingested or exposed.
Examples:

• Washing machine or dishwasher overflow
• Toilet overflow (no solid waste)
• Sump pump failure

Key Notes:

• Requires protective equipment
• Often has organic matter or chemicals
• Can escalate to Category 3 within 48 hours if not dried and cleaned properly

03

 Category 3 – Black Water

Source: Grossly unsanitary water containing harmful pathogens, sewage, or toxins.
Examples:

• Sewage backups
• Toilet overflows with waste
• Floodwaters from rivers or streets
• Water from prolonged standing or mold-infested areas

Key Notes:

• Extreme caution required
• Full PPE and containment needed
• Often requires removal of porous materials like drywall, insulation, and carpet

04

Additional Water Damage Classifications (Extent of Damage)

In addition to categories, the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) also classifies Classes 1 to 4 based on the amount of water and affected materials:

• Class 1: Minor water intrusion, only part of a room affected, minimal absorption.
• Class 2: Larger areas affected, water has soaked into carpets and walls.
• Class 3: Water has saturated ceilings, walls, insulation—typically comes from above.
• Class 4: Specialty drying situations—deeply saturated materials (brick, concrete, hardwood).