Restoration Industry Glossary
Understanding restoration terminology helps you communicate effectively with contractors and insurance companies. Browse our comprehensive glossary of water damage, fire damage, mold remediation, and restoration terms.
Water Damage
8 termsWater Damage
Destruction caused by water intruding into structures or materials.
Water Extraction
The process of removing standing water from a property.
Category 1 Water (Clean Water)
Water from a sanitary source that poses no health threat.
Category 2 Water (Gray Water)
Contaminated water that may cause illness if ingested.
Category 3 Water (Black Water)
Grossly contaminated water containing pathogens and toxins.
Flood Damage
Property damage caused by natural flooding events.
Sewage Backup
When sewage returns through drains into a property.
Water Mitigation
Actions taken to prevent further water damage.
Fire & Smoke Damage
5 termsFire Damage
Property destruction caused by flames, heat, smoke, or firefighting efforts.
Smoke Damage
Damage caused by smoke residue and odor penetration.
Soot
Black carbon residue produced by incomplete combustion.
Thermal Fogging
A deodorization method using heated solvent-based solutions.
Ozone Treatment
Odor elimination using ozone gas to oxidize contaminants.
Mold & Remediation
6 termsMold
Fungi that grow in multicellular filaments and reproduce via spores.
Mold Remediation
The professional process of removing mold and preventing regrowth.
Black Mold (Stachybotrys)
A toxic mold species known for producing harmful mycotoxins.
Mold Spores
Microscopic reproductive units released by mold fungi.
Mycotoxins
Toxic compounds produced by certain mold species.
Containment
Barriers used to isolate contaminated areas during remediation.
Restoration
6 termsStructural Drying
The process of drying a building's structural components after water damage.
Restoration
Returning damaged property to its pre-loss condition.
Reconstruction
Rebuilding and repairing damaged structures after mitigation.
Contents Restoration
Cleaning and restoring personal belongings after damage.
Pack-Out
Removing contents from a property for off-site restoration.
Antimicrobial Treatment
Application of agents that kill or inhibit microorganism growth.
Equipment
10 termsDehumidifier
Equipment that removes moisture from the air.
Air Mover
High-velocity fans used to accelerate the drying process.
Air Scrubber
A filtration device that removes particles and contaminants from air.
HEPA Filtration
High-efficiency filters that capture 99.97% of particles.
Moisture Meter
Instrument used to measure moisture content in materials.
Negative Air Machine
Equipment that creates negative pressure in contained areas.
Hydroxyl Generators
Devices that produce hydroxyl radicals to neutralize odors.
Injectidry System
Equipment for drying wall cavities and hard-to-reach spaces.
LGR Dehumidifier
Low Grain Refrigerant dehumidifier for efficient drying.
Desiccant Dehumidifier
Dehumidifier using chemical absorption to remove moisture.
Insurance
6 termsActual Cash Value (ACV)
Replacement cost minus depreciation.
Replacement Cost Value (RCV)
The cost to replace damaged property with new items of similar quality.
Insurance Claim
A formal request to an insurance company for coverage or compensation.
Insurance Adjuster
A person who investigates and evaluates insurance claims.
Deductible
The amount a policyholder pays before insurance coverage kicks in.
Subrogation
An insurer's right to recover claim payments from responsible parties.
General & Certifications
9 termsIICRC
Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification.
WRT Certification
Water Restoration Technician certification from IICRC.
Xactimate
Industry-standard software for property damage estimation.
Psychrometry
The science of air-water vapor mixtures and drying.
Biohazard
Biological materials that pose a threat to human health.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards.
Emergency Response
Immediate action taken to address property damage.
Board-Up
Securing a property with plywood or other materials after damage.
Tarping
Covering roof damage with protective tarps to prevent water intrusion.
All Terms A-Z
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