Research-Based Protocols Vital to Return Homes to Pre-Damage Condition
When your Minneapolis home suffers water damage, restoration guided by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards is crucial. Lightspeed of Twin Cities East Metro technicians are trained and certified by the IICRC in all aspects of water damage restoration. The foundation of successful restoration is a thorough inspection and damage assessment.
Water Categorization Informs Project Planning
Before wading into the situation with work crews and equipment, Lightspeed of Twin Cities East Metro conducts a complete water damage assessment of your Minneapolis home. This step is crucial to developing an appropriate restoration plan and identifies:
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The source or sources of the water damage, guiding preparations for eventual repairs to prevent further leaks, seepage, or flooding
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The water contamination category, determining the need for occupant evacuation, containment of workspaces, and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for work crews
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Category 1 or “clean water” with little to no contamination and no health threat (supply pipes, water heaters)
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Category 2 or “gray water” with moderate contamination posing significant health risks (dishwashers, laundry equipment, water beds, and aquariums)
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Category 3 or “black water” with substantial contamination of disease-causing organisms, chemicals, and other toxins (sewer backflows, toilet overflows, and overland flooding)
Note: As time passes, the Categories can change for the worse (1 becomes 2 or 2 becomes 3) because microbial growth occurs with extended water exposure. Fast action is essential.
Classification of Water Damage
Defining the water damage class helps Lightspeed of Twin Cities East Metro to scale the size of responding crews and inventory of professional-grade structure securing, water extraction, structural drying, and other restoration equipment and supplies.
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Class 1--Minor damage occurs to a small area with minimal water absorption into porous materials. Recovery could be simple and within a homeowner’s abilities to achieve, although Lightspeed of Twin Cities Metro East crews will make quick work of water damage remediation and restoration.
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Class 2--Whole room(s) is/are affected, usually due to a floor-level fluid source with water wicking up to 24 inches up walls and into wood, flooring, carpets, and furniture. Professional water extraction, drying, and disinfection interventions prevent progressive deterioration and mold growth, using partial demolition strategies to remove damaged materials, release water, and aid in drying.
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Class 3--The entire property is affected, typically from overhead sources (burst pipes, storm damage, negligent overflows of tubs and sinks) with water saturating walls, insulation, ceilings, furnishings, floor coverings, flooring, and subfloors. Safety issues are profound, with a significant chance of structural weakening and collapse. Lightspeed crews prepare for this damage class, utilizing their training, experience, and specialized equipment to secure the space and provide the water damage mitigation, remediation, and restoration needed.
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Class 4--Severe saturation and pressure damage to your home’s structure occurs from extreme water damage due to flooding and storms. The structural integrity of materials that seem moisture-impervious, like concrete, plaster, stone, and rockwork, is at risk. This level of damage obviously requires the skills and resources of Lightspeed professionals from reinforcement of failing structures through efforts to mitigate, remediate, and restore even catastrophic water damage.
The experts at Lightspeed of Twin Cities East Metro are one call away at (651) 459-2662 when your home experiences the devastation of water damage. After a comprehensive assessment and planning, our restoration services halt the harm and resolve the issues raised by water incursion.