Water Damage Category & Class Finder
Identify your water category (contamination) and class (how much is wet), the way restoration pros classify a loss.
Estimates use typical industry ranges and published methods. They are not a quote. An on-site moisture inspection sets the actual scope.
Water categories: how contaminated is it?
Category 1: clean water
Water from a sanitary source that poses no substantial health risk: a broken supply line, a leaking water heater, an overflowing sink with no contaminants, rain coming straight through a roof opening. Most materials can be dried and saved if work starts quickly.
Category 2: gray water
Water with significant contamination that could cause illness if ingested: washing machine or dishwasher discharge, toilet overflow with urine but no feces, aquarium water, sump pump failures. Carpet pad is typically replaced and surfaces are cleaned with antimicrobials.
Category 3: black water
Grossly contaminated water: sewage, toilet backflow from beyond the trap, rising floodwater from rivers, creeks or streets, and any water that has sat long enough to support heavy microbial growth. Porous materials are removed, workers wear protective equipment, and everything remaining is disinfected.
Water classes: how much is wet?
| Class | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Least water, little absorption. Part of a room | Small leak on tile or vinyl caught quickly |
| Class 2 | Whole room, carpet and pad wet, walls wicked under 24" | Washer hose burst into a carpeted room |
| Class 3 | Most water: walls wet above 24", ceilings, insulation | Upstairs overflow through the ceiling |
| Class 4 | Water bound in dense materials needing specialty drying | Soaked hardwood, concrete, plaster or brick |
Class drives how much drying equipment is needed. The drying equipment calculator uses the class to size dehumidifiers.
Why these labels matter to you
Category determines what can be saved: Category 1 carpet can often be dried in place, while Category 3 carpet must go. Class determines how long drying takes and how much equipment is billed. Together they're the biggest drivers of cost, which is why the cost calculator asks about water type first. When you review an estimate, look for the category and class. They should match what you saw.