Water damage restoration services glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a water damage restoration service provider in Ontario.

What are IICRC water categories (Category 1, 2, 3)?: IICRC S500 water categories are the standard classification system that divides contaminated water into three levels (Category 1, 2, and 3) based on microbial content and contaminants, with each level requiring different cleanup and disposal methods.
What are the IICRC water damage classes 1, 2, 3, and 4?: The IICRC S500 standard classifies water damage into four levels (Classes 1 through 4) based on how much moisture materials have absorbed and how quickly that moisture can evaporate, independent of water contamination category.
What is a containment barrier with negative air containment?: A containment barrier is a sealed enclosure of polyethylene sheeting combined with negative air pressure equipment to isolate contaminated zones during mold remediation or sewage damage cleanup, preventing cross-contamination to unaffected building areas.
What is a desiccant dehumidifier?: A desiccant dehumidifier removes moisture from air by passing it through a drying material, typically silica gel or another absorbent substance, making it effective in cold or very damp conditions where refrigerant units perform poorly.
What is a HEPA air scrubber?: A HEPA air scrubber is a portable or stationary air filtration device that removes airborne mold spores, dust, and particulates using a true HEPA filter meeting the 99.97% filtration standard at 0.3 microns.
What is a moisture meter?: A moisture meter is a handheld instrument that measures the water content within building materials such as drywall, wood, and flooring to assess whether materials have dried adequately after water damage.
What is a mold assessment or mold inspection report?: A mold assessment or inspection report is an independent evaluation that identifies mold contamination, documents affected areas, and analyzes mold species through lab testing to establish the scope of remediation needed.
What is a scope of work in restoration estimates?: A scope of work is a detailed, itemized breakdown of all tasks, materials, labor, and costs that a restoration company will perform on a water damage project, typically prepared for insurance claims or direct client billing.
What is an air mover (blower)?: An air mover is a portable high-velocity fan used in water damage restoration to speed surface evaporation by directing concentrated airflow across wet structural materials and building surfaces.
What is an Injectidry wall and subfloor drying system?: Injectidry is a non-destructive drying system that injects compressed air into wall cavities, subfloors, and hardwood floors to evaporate and extract moisture after water intrusion, avoiding the need for full structural demolition.
What is an LGR dehumidifier?: An LGR (low grain refrigerant) dehumidifier is a refrigerant-based moisture removal unit designed to extract water vapor from air at lower humidity levels than conventional refrigerant dehumidifiers, making it effective for drying structural materials after flooding or water intrusion.
What is antimicrobial or biocide treatment?: Antimicrobial and biocide treatments are EPA-registered chemical products applied to water-damaged surfaces to inhibit the growth of mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms.
What is black water?: Black water is grossly contaminated water containing fecal matter, pathogens, and hazardous substances, typically from sewage backups or natural flooding, classified as Category 3 under IICRC standards.
What is content pack-out and pack-back?: Content pack-out and pack-back refers to the removal of salvageable personal belongings and furnishings from a flood or water-damaged property, their storage and cleaning at an offsite facility, and their return once structural repairs are complete.
What is contents restoration and cleaning?: Contents restoration is the specialized cleaning, treatment, and recovery of household furnishings, documents, electronics, and personal belongings damaged by water intrusion, smoke exposure, or sewage contamination.
What is grey water?: Grey water is moderately contaminated wastewater (Category 2) from household sources like washing machines, dishwashers, and sinks that requires professional cleanup if it intrudes into a building.
What is IICRC certification?: IICRC certification is a credential issued by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification that verifies a technician has completed accredited training and passed exams in water damage, cleaning, or restoration specialties.
What is moisture mapping?: Moisture mapping is the practice of systematically measuring and documenting moisture levels throughout a structure using meters to identify wet areas and monitor drying effectiveness after water damage.
What is psychrometry in water damage drying?: Psychrometry is the scientific measurement of moisture content and humidity in air, used by restoration technicians to guide equipment placement and drying rates during water mitigation work.
What is sewage backup?: Sewage backup is the reverse flow of wastewater into a building through drains, toilets, sinks, or showers, typically caused by blockages or system failures in the drainage system.
What is structural drying?: Structural drying is the process of extracting moisture from within building materials like drywall, framing, and insulation using specialized equipment, rather than simply removing standing water from surfaces.
What is thermal imaging (infrared moisture detection)?: Thermal imaging is an infrared camera technique that detects temperature variations in building materials to locate moisture that is not visible to the naked eye.
What is trauma and biohazard cleanup?: Trauma and biohazard cleanup is the professional remediation and safe removal of blood, bodily fluids, and other pathogenic materials following death, injury, or contamination events, performed to Ontario health and safety standards.
What is water mitigation?: Water mitigation refers to the immediate emergency actions taken after a water loss event, such as water extraction, dehumidification, and damage containment, intended to prevent further deterioration before restoration work begins.