Water, Water Everywhere

Matthew Edwards • July 28, 2021

“Water, water everywhere, not a single drop to drink.” This saying comes from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which was written in 1834 by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. In the poem, a distraught sailor is surrounded by water, but has none to drink. I think it is a good way to kick-off our discussion on categorizing water intrusion, because I have heard it said that you can categorize water by if you can drink it or not.  


When managing a water damage to property, there are two terms you need to understand. One is the Category and the second is the Class. When a water restoration services professional discusses the Category of a water loss, they are referring to the source of the water intrusion. When they discuss Class, they are discussing the amount of water or the anticipated evaporation load. 


The importance of this information is that it helps you better understand what is involved and potential costs. The higher the category or class, the more complicated and longer it will take to remove the water. 


There are 3 Categories of Water. Below is generally how the IICRC S500 presents categories of water: 


Category 1: 

  • The water originates from a sanitary source and does not pose substantial risk from skin, drinking or inhalation exposure. 
  • Examples include broken water line, tub or sink overflow and broken toilet tanks (not sewer backing up).


Category 2: 

  • The water contains significant amount of contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. 
  • This category of water can potentially contain unsafe microorganisms or promote the growth of microorganisms because of contained nutrients.  
  • Examples include discharge lines from dishwashers or washing machines, toilet bowl (from room side of the trap) with some human waste and broken aquariums. 


Category 3: 

  • The water is grossly contaminated and contains pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents.
  • Examples include sewage, waste line from toilet beyond the trap, wind-driven rain from hurricanes, tropical storms or ground surface water from rising rivers or streams. 


Some special situations do exist that will modify a category; including if it is regulated by a state or federal agency, if it contains hazardous materials, or there is mold present. 


Secondly, there are four classes of water:


  • Class 1: Water losses affecting a portion of the room.
  • Class 2: Water has affected the entire room of carpet and pad and has wicked up the walls less than 24.” 
  • Class 3: any water losses that come from overhead.
  • Class 4: any water trapped or bound within materials of very low permeance requiring special drying procedures. i.e. sub floor, plaster, brick, concrete.


As always, please remember, our dedicated team members are there when you need us most. No matter the situation or emergency, you can count on our team of IICRC-certified professionals to be available 24/7…which is not just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!


Matthew Edwards works in our business development department and strategically works with our partners to cultivate lasting relationships. He has been with the GRS team since 2012. To connect with him, visit LinkedIn or shoot him an email.

The Dangers of Hidden Water Damage in Commercial Properties

By Adrianne Hungerford • June 3, 2026
Hidden moisture can damage commercial buildings long before it's visible. Learn the risks, warning signs, and importance of professional mitigation.

Why Pre-Loss Planning Matters for Lafayette Properties on the Gulf Coast

By Jeremy Cryer • May 27, 2026
On the Gulf Coast, preparation isn’t optional. It’s simply a part of doing business. From hurricane season to heavy rain events and everything in between, properties in Lafayette face a different level of risk than most. And when something does happen, the difference between a smooth recovery and a stressful situation often comes down to one thing: having a plan in place with the right team. Why Pre-Loss Planning Looks Different in Lafayette Pre-loss planning looks a little different here because the risks are different. It’s not just about knowing where your shutoffs are or having a list of contacts. It’s about understanding how quickly a storm can shift, how water can move through a property, and how to respond when multiple buildings or locations are impacted at once. That kind of preparation requires more than a template. It requires local knowledge. At Guarantee Restoration Services, our Lafayette team builds pre-loss plans with that in mind. We take into account the specific challenges that come with properties in Acadiana, including wind-driven rain, tornado threats, and the potential for widespread damage across an entire area. That allows us to create a plan that is realistic, not just theoretical. The Importance of Having a Clear Path Forward “We’ve seen how quickly things can escalate during a storm event. Having a pre-loss plan in place gives our clients a clear path forward instead of trying to figure it out in the middle of the chaos,” said Craig Rose, Mitigation Manager at our Lafayette Branch. That “clear path forward” is what makes the biggest difference. When a storm hits, response times are everything, but so is access. Roads can be blocked, power can be out, and communication can be limited. A strong pre-loss plan accounts for those variables and ensures that response efforts can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Protecting Operations, Employees, and Tenants It also helps property teams stay focused on what matters most. Instead of trying to coordinate vendors, track down information, or make high-pressure decisions, they can follow a plan that has already been built around their property and their priorities. From a business standpoint, that level of preparation protects more than just the building. It protects operations, tenants, employees, and timelines. Building Trust Before Disaster Strikes “Pre-loss planning is about building trust before there’s ever a problem. Our clients know who to call, what to expect, and how we’re going to support them when something happens,” said Paige Hebert, Business Development Representative in Lafayette. That trust and familiarity matter, especially in a region where large-scale events can impact entire communities at once. You are not just calling a company, you are calling a team that already understands your property, your risks, and your expectations. Be Realistic. Be Ready. Pre-loss planning on the Gulf Coast is not about over-preparing. It is about being realistic and ready. Because when the next storm comes through Lafayette, it is not a matter of if you will need a plan—it is a matter of how well that plan works when it is put to the test. Call us today to schedule your Pre-Loss Planning meeting where 24/7 is not just a number… it’s a GUARANTEE!

How to Respond to Property Damage in the First 24 Hours

By Shawn Folks • May 20, 2026
When a disaster strikes and a loss happens, the clock starts immediately. The first 24 hours after a storm event or a fire loss are the most critical for any property. It is at this time that major decisions need to be made, the damage is either controlled or spreads, and the path to recovery is determined. These decisions are often rushed, unclear, and reactive without a plan in place. This is where having a pre-loss plan makes a measurable and meaningful difference. A pre-loss plan creates a clear starting point for you and your team instead of scrambling to figure out who to call, what steps to take, or how to protect the property. It removes reactive hesitation and replaces it with action to recover. Everyone involved knows their role and understands the process, allowing them to move quickly without second guessing. Speed matters in restoration. Water continues to spread; materials continue to deteriorate, and secondary damage, like mold, can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The faster a response is initiated, the more damage can be contained. Pre-loss planning allows that response to begin immediately, not hours or days later. Other than fast action, it also brings clarity during a very chaotic and challenging moment. Property managers, facility teams, and business owners are not left out in the dark trying to make high-pressure decisions on the spot. Instead, they are following a plan that has already been thoroughly thought through, discussed, and tailored to their specific property’s needs. Communication can become fragmented without a plan. Another advantage to pre-loss planning is coordination. There are several moving parts including emergency services, restoration teams, and insurance carriers. Having a plan streamlines communication ensuring that everyone involved is aligned from the start. At Guarantee Restoration Services, pre-loss planning is designed to support the exact moment the dust settles. It’s not just about preparing documents to sign ahead of time; it’s about setting up our partners and clients to respond with confidence when it matters the most. From established points of contact to documented site conditions and response protocols, everything is built to protect time, reduce damage, and maintain control.  Many people think preparation is about preventing the worst from happening. Rather, it is about being ready when it happens. Because when those first 24 hours hit, you do not want to be figuring things out. You want to be executing a well-formulated, personalized plan for recovery. Call us today...where 24/7 isn’t just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!
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