Do losses where regulated or hazardous materials have contaminated the structure affect the category of water?

When dealing with water damage and its classification according to the IICRC standards, the specific characteristics of the contaminant play a critical role in determining the category of water. The categories are defined primarily based on the source of the water and the level of contamination.

In this context, regulated or hazardous materials refer to substances that have specific health risks or regulatory requirements. However, when we classify water damage, what truly matters is the original category of the water based on its source. For instance, clean water from a burst pipe is classified differently than grey water from a washing machine or black water from sewage.

Even if regulated or hazardous materials are present, they do not inherently change the initial category of water. The presence of these substances may impose additional safety and health considerations, influencing how the restoration process should be approached, but they don't modify the fundamental classification of the water. Therefore, understanding that the original source of the water predominantly dictates the category is essential, leading to the conclusion that such contamination does not change the category itself. This is why the correct answer indicates that they do not change the category.