Water Damage Archives - First Choice Equipment Sales & Service

Understanding IICRC Standards for Water Damage Restoration

Jul 28, 2025

Following the IICRC standards for water damage is a major component when restoring properties after water-related disasters. Whether you’re dealing with a burst pipe, flooding, or water damage from firefighting efforts, understanding these industry-leading standards can help you make informed decisions about restoration services and equipment needs.

At First Choice Equipment Sales and Service, we offer top-tier restoration equipment that meets or exceeds all IICRC standards, enabling both homeowners and restoration companies to yield positive results. Our comprehensive services include equipment sales, rentals, and repairs specifically designed to address the unique challenges our customers face when implementing proper water damage restoration protocols.

What Are IICRC Standards for Water Damage?

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) develops and maintains the S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration. The IICRC standards outline the procedures, precautions, and best practices for water damage restoration professionals. When you’re facing water damage in your home or business, working with a company that follows these standards ensures the work is performed safely and effectively.

The IICRC is the industry’s most respected standard, representing the collective wisdom of industry experts, scientists, and public health professionals who understand the complexities of water damage and its potential impacts on both property and health.

Why IICRC Standards Matter to Property Owners

You might wonder why you should care about industry standards when all you want is to get your property back to normal. The truth is, proper adherence to IICRC standards for water damage restoration directly impacts the quality and safety of the restoration work performed on your property.

When restoration companies follow proper guidelines, you benefit from:

Thorough assessment and documentation of all damage
Proper categorization of water contamination levels
Appropriate drying techniques that prevent secondary damage
Comprehensive remediation that addresses visible and hidden issues
Health and safety protocols that protect you, your family, and workers

Choosing a restoration company that follows IICRC standards gives you confidence that your restoration project will be handled professionally and efficiently.

Understanding Water Damage Categories

One of the most important aspects of the IICRC standards for water damage restoration is the categorization of water damage based on contamination levels. Knowing which category your situation falls under helps determine the appropriate restoration approach.

Category One: Clean Water

Category one water comes from sources that don’t pose a substantial health risk, including water from broken water supply lines, water fixture sink overflows with no contaminants, or appliance malfunctions involving water supply lines.

When dealing with Category one water damage, restoration generally focuses on:

Rapid water extraction
Thorough drying of affected materials
Humidity control to prevent secondary damage

Even clean water damage requires prompt attention, as standing water can quickly deteriorate into Category two or three.

Category Two: Gray Water

Category two water has significant contamination and the potential to cause sickness if consumed or contacted. The most common sources are toilet overflow with urine and sump pump failures.

Restoration protocols for Category two water damage include:

Personal protective equipment for workers
Containment measures to prevent cross-contamination
Removal and disposal of porous materials that cannot be adequately sanitized
More aggressive cleaning and disinfection procedures

Without proper remediation, Category two water damage can lead to serious health concerns and further property deterioration.

Category Three: Black Water

Category three water is grossly contaminated and contains pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents, including sewage, floodwater from rivers or streams, toilet backflows with feces, or standing water that’s supporting microbial growth.

When you’re facing Category three water damage, restoration requires:

Extensive personal protective equipment
Strict containment and negative air pressure systems
Removal and disposal of porous materials
Intensive cleaning, disinfection, and verification testing
Possible coordination with environmental health specialists

Category three scenarios represent the most serious water damage situations and require immediate, professional intervention.

The IICRC Standards for Water Damage Guidelines

The IICRC standards for water damage outline a systematic approach to restoration that ensures all aspects of the damage are properly addressed.

Initial Assessment and Documentation

Before restoration begins, a thorough inspection and assessment will document the extent of water damage.

During this phase, restoration professionals will:

Identify the water source
Determine the category of water
Use moisture meters and imaging technology to detect water migration
Take photographs and measurements for documentation
Identify materials affected and determine salvageability
Develop a comprehensive restoration plan

The initial assessment ensures nothing is overlooked and provides the foundation for effective restoration.

Water Extraction and Removal

The first active step in adhering to the IICRC standards for water damage involves removing standing water and moisture from saturated materials. Speed is vital during this phase to prevent further damage and reduce drying time.

Professional equipment used in this stage includes:

Powerful submersible pumps for standing water
Commercial-grade extraction units for carpets and upholstery
Specialty extractors for different flooring types
Moisture detection tools to ensure thorough extraction

Proper extraction reduces drying time and minimizes secondary damage.

Drying and Dehumidification

After water extraction, the focus shifts to drying structural elements and contents. The IICRC standards for water damage establish scientific drying principles that restoration professionals must follow to achieve efficient drying.

The drying and dehumidification stage involves:

Strategic placement of air movers and fans to create high-velocity airflow across wet surfaces
Positioning dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air
Monitoring and adjusting equipment to optimize drying conditions
Daily moisture readings to track progress

Returning materials to their pre-loss moisture content levels prevents issues like warping, mold growth, or structural weakening.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Once structures and contents are dry, the cleaning and sanitizing begin through:

Antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold growth
Specialized cleaning for different surface types
Odor removal treatments
Content cleaning and restoration

For Category two and three water damage, additional disinfection steps are required to ensure the environment is safe for occupancy.

Restoration and Reconstruction

The final phase involves restoring the property to its pre-loss condition. Restoration may range from minor repairs to total reconstruction, depending on the extent of the water damage.

Restoration procedures might include:

Replacing drywall and insulation
Repairing or replacing flooring
Painting and finishing work
Reinstalling electrical and plumbing fixtures

Working with a company that handles both restoration and reconstruction provides a seamless experience during this challenging time.

Specialized Equipment for IICRC-Standard Restoration

The IICRC standards for water damage emphasize that professional-grade equipment makes a big difference in the effectiveness of restoration projects.

Moisture Detection Tools

Throughout the restoration process, moisture detection equipment helps identify the extent of water migration and monitor drying progress. Moisture-detection tools include:

Moisture meters that measure moisture content in various materials
Thermal imaging cameras that detect temperature differences, indicating moisture
Hygrometers that measure humidity levels
Borescopes that allow inspection inside walls and cavities

Moisture detection tools help ensure no hidden moisture remains to cause problems later.

Drying and Dehumidification Systems

Professional-grade drying equipment creates the optimal environment for efficient moisture removal. Common drying and dehumidification systems are:

High-velocity air movers and fans that create surface evaporation
Commercial dehumidifiers that remove moisture from the air
Specialty wall cavity dryers, like the Viking PDS-12, for hardwood floors, cabinets, and other challenging materials
Environmental monitoring equipment to track conditions
Heating equipment for accelerating the restoration process

Drying and dehumidification systems work together to create a balanced drying environment that minimizes damage and adheres to the IICRC standards for water damage.

Quality Equipment Will Help You Meet the IICRC Standards for Water Damage

Understanding IICRC standards for water damage empowers you to make informed decisions when facing water-related disasters. Whether you’re dealing with current water damage or looking to prevent future issues, First Choice Equipment Sales and Service is here to help.

We provide top-quality restoration equipment, used equipment purchasing options, equipment rentals, and service for all your water damage restoration needs. Our team understands the importance of IICRC standards and can help you select the right equipment to address your specific situation.

Don’t wait until water damage affects your property. Give First Choice a call or fill out our contact form on our website. Let us help you protect your investment with industry-leading equipment and expertise.

What You Need to Know About Water Damage

Feb 25, 2022

Tropical storms and hurricanes hit the US hard this year. Preparing for the possibility of water damage is not easy, and there are differences between flooding and long-standing water. Once the storms have stopped, the health dangers increase. Water damage is a major contributor to property loss. Inspecting and clearing gutters before flooding happens is an important first step to take before a heavy rainfall.

Water that’s left behind after heavy rain or flooding may not be obvious at first. For example, stagnant water can be trapped in roofs, basements, and walls. Trapped water can quickly become stagnant and polluted and is the chief contributor to the health of people and pets after a major storm.

Many homeowner insurance policies do not cover the costs associated with water damage from flooding, tsunamis, standing water, or groundwater. Unless a rider is attached to your policy, those events are often excluded from a claim. A policy will usually include coverage against water damage from a sudden mishap inside your home like a pipe that’s burst or a toilet that has overflowed.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 13.7% of all water used in the home today can be attributed to plumbing leaks. An 1/8th crack in a water pipe can release up to 250 gallons of water a day. In terms of damage and repair costs, broken water pipes are almost comparable to the costs of damage repair from hurricanes.

Water Damage Categories

There are different categories of water damage based on the level of contamination.

Category 1 refers to “clean” water supply lines that are broken and don’t pose a substantial threat to humans.
Category 2 is “grey” water damage with a significant amount of chemical or biological contamination that can cause sickness whether you are exposed to it, or it’s consumed.
Category 3 is “black” water with contaminants that are very unsanitary and will cause severe illness. Water from sewers, seawater, flooding from rivers or streams, storm surge, ground surface water, or standing water.

Immediate water removal is important because water can change categories very quickly. Both category 1 and category 2 can quickly be reclassified as category 3 regardless of color or anything you can see in the water. Since all categories of wastewater can be hazardous and dangerous, it’s important that you address the water damage situation immediately.

It is critical to remove the water as quickly as possible before wastewater becomes contaminated and changes categories. Once a contaminant has been introduced into the environment it takes time and money to make sure everything is safe again.

To avoid further contamination and higher repair costs, it makes good sense to tackle your water damage issue with a proven water removal and restoration company. Be sure to do some research to find the right professional service company that will explain how they can bring your property back to working order or pre-loss condition.

Essential Equipment for Your Water Removal Business

Feb 25, 2022

Is it raining money for your water removal business to invest in equipment? There is some must-have equipment that won’t leave you knee-deep in debt and can get you through the lean times. If you are a small business entrepreneur, you should take the time to find out what suits your projects before you start collecting equipment. Remember, “the rich invest in time, the poor invest in money.”¹

Air movers and small filtration equipment are less costly, easy to transport, and need a lot less maintenance. If you aren’t sure whether you should buy, there is always an option to rent or buy used equipment in good working condition. First Choice Equipment Sales and Service carries several types of air movers, scrubbers, and axial fans that should be part of your water removal equipment investment.

If you are drying a tighter space like a closet, cabinets, laundry room, or bathroom, you might consider Axial Air Movers. Centrifugal axial fans can operate in high temperatures, at high speeds with a focused airstream that can be set in different directions.

Industrial Air Movers are the best choice for drying projects with a variety of area sizes. Maybe you just started in the water removal business and are not sure what areas of your project will need drying, then the compact air mover may be the right choice. As a more powerful alternative, air movers can dry small and large surfaces. They have to move air horizontally for a much faster drying time with an amp output that is energy efficient.

Some water-damaged projects have been left untreated during the busy season and may need some remediation. Consider adding Air Scrubbers to your equipment list, too. Scrubbers remove tiny airborne particles and odors in the air that will help lessen pollutants. Preventing future environmental contamination is an important step in any water removal project. An added benefit of Air Scrubbers is they help mitigate the spread of mold in a water-damaged project.

No matter what investment you make for your water removal business, getting the right mix of equipment will help during those dry times. You can rely on First Choice Equipment Sales and Service to recommend the right balance of price and performance for your equipment purchases. Call us to learn more about our inventory of new, used, and rental equipment at (719) 240-4930.

¹Warren Buffet