Water Quality Categories Quiz

Water Categories

• Category 1: Clean water from a sanitary source.
• Category 2: Grey water, potentially contaminated; may cause discomfort or sickness.
• Category 3: Grossly contaminated water containing toxins and pathogens.

Water Classes

• Class 1: Least amount of water with minimal absorption and evaporation.
• Class 2: Significant water present; affects carpet, cushion, and walls.
• Class 3: Extensive water; impacts ceilings, walls, insulation, and flooring.
• Class 4: Deep saturation in hardwood, plaster, and concrete.

Principles of Drying

• Core methods include removing excess moisture, enhancing evaporation, dehumidification, ventilation, and regulating temperature.

Extraction Tools

• Light Wand: Extracts water from perimeter areas and glue-down carpets.
• Stationary Tool (Water Claw): Subsurface extraction for carpet and cushion.
• Self-Propelled Tools: Equipped with multiple speeds; extract carpet and cushion.
• Vacuum Squeegee: Designed for concrete, hardwood, vinyl, and laminate surfaces.

Air Movement

• Airmovers: Centrifugal and axial types, used for evaporation; proper placement involves one unit per 10-16 linear feet of wall area.

Drying Systems

• Structural Cavity Drying Systems (SCDS): Employ vented (turbovents) and injected systems.
• Floor Drying Systems: Include vented and negative air mats for effective moisture removal.

Air Filtration

• Air Filtration Devices (AFDs): Devices like air scrubbers and HEPA filters that clean the air.

Dehumidification Metrics

• AHAM Rating: Indicates pints removed per day at specified temperature and humidity.
• Various types of refrigerants can operate efficiently at different humidity and temperature levels.

Electrical Fundamentals

• Amperes: Measure of electric current in a circuit.
• Voltage: The pressure that pushes electrical current.
• Watts: Power consumption of electrical devices.

Moisture Measurement

• Moisture Sensor: Measures moisture content over 17% MC, helps define water damage perimeter.
• Thermo-hygrometer: Evaluates temperature and relative humidity to guide drying efforts.
• Moisture Meter: Both invasive and non-invasive; assesses moisture content to determine drying completion.

Regulatory Agencies

• EPA: Oversees biocide regulations.
• FIFRA: Governs federal regulations regarding pesticides.

Carpet Methods

• Installation Types: Stretch-in, direct glue-down, and double glue down.
• Drying Methods: In-place, full float, and partial float methods for carpets.

Wood and Moisture Relations

• Fungal Growth: Specific moisture content (over 16% for non-destructive and over 20% for destructive growth).
• Moisture Content (MC): Represents weight or percentage of moisture in materials compared to dry weight.

Drying Techniques

• Open Drying: Involves exchanging indoor air with outdoor air; requires vigilance to prevent microbial growth.
• Closed Drying: Utilizes mechanical dehumidification for moisture control.

Additional Concepts

• Psychrometry: Examines the interplay between air, humidity, and temperature.
• Balanced Drying: Achieving optimal dehumidification while evaporating moisture.
• Equilibrium: The principle that moisture and temperature balance out in drying processes.

Restorative Drying Process

• Involves assessment, documentation, controlled drying, and selective replacement of damaged materials. Initial critical action is rapid response to water damage.

Safety Protocols

• Identifying safety hazards is the technician's priority upon arriving at a water damage site.