KnowHow

Processes For Growing Restoration Companies

Determining the source of water intrusion is the first and most critical step in the mitigation and remediation process. If the source is not identified and controlled, any restoration effort will fail. This training teaches technicians how to systematically investigate and identify the source of water damage in residential and commercial properties - ensuring that mitigation or mold remediation begins only once the source has been confirmed and documented.

Determine the Source of Loss for Water Mitigation & Mold Remediation

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Before any extraction, demolition, or drying begins, the&nbsp;source of water must be:
<ul>
<li data-start="1368" data-end="1380">Identified</li>
<li data-start="1383" data-end="1406">Controlled or stopped</li>
<li data-start="1409" data-end="1421">Documented</li>
</ul>
Per IICRC S500:
<blockquote data-start="1445" data-end="1663">
&ldquo;Water intrusion must be controlled or eliminated before restorative drying begins.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
Failure to do so can result in continued damage, wasted equipment time, increased microbial growth, and insurance claim denial.

Understand Why Identifying the Source Matters

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Start your investigation by gathering context from the homeowner or property contact.
Ask:
<ul>
<li data-start="1803" data-end="1841">When did you first notice the water?</li>
<li data-start="1844" data-end="1871">Has this happened before?</li>
<li data-start="1874" data-end="1935">Was anything running at the time (dishwasher, laundry, AC)?</li>
<li data-start="1938" data-end="1985">Any recent storms, heavy rain, or construction?</li>
</ul>
This info gives you a timeline and potential clues.

Ask the Right Questions

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Start with the&nbsp;obvious affected area and work outward. Look for:
<ul>
<li data-start="2161" data-end="2199">Active drips, pooling water, or stains</li>
<li data-start="2202" data-end="2236">Wet baseboards, walls, or ceilings</li>
<li data-start="2239" data-end="2284">Cracks, gaps, or openings near exterior walls</li>
<li data-start="2287" data-end="2323">Wet insulation or discolored drywall</li>
<li data-start="2326" data-end="2353">Rusted or corroded plumbing</li>
</ul>
Check adjacent rooms and levels (e.g., upstairs bathroom if ceiling below is affected).

Begin Your Visual Inspection

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Moisture Meter:
<ul>
<li data-start="2518" data-end="2568">Use pin or non-invasive mode depending on surface.</li>
<li data-start="2571" data-end="2617">Map moisture in affected and nearby materials.</li>
<li data-start="2620" data-end="2670">Look for gradients (e.g., wettest area at origin).</li>
</ul>
Thermal Imaging Camera:
<ul>
<li data-start="2703" data-end="2795">Scan walls, ceilings, and floors to find cold spots or temperature changes from evaporation.</li>
<li data-start="2798" data-end="2860">Great for detecting slow leaks, ceiling or wall pipe failures.</li>
</ul>
Hygrometer:
<ul>
<li data-start="2881" data-end="2952">High humidity levels may indicate hidden leaks or slow vapor intrusion.</li>
<li data-start="2955" data-end="2985">Compare with unaffected areas.</li>
</ul>
Borescope (if trained to use):
<ul>
<li data-start="3025" data-end="3100">Check behind walls, cabinets, and subfloors for hidden leaks or saturation.</li>
</ul>

Use Moisture Detection Tools

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Here are some common&nbsp;water intrusion categories and their identifying characteristics:
Plumbing Failure
<ul>
<li>Examples - Burst pipes, pinhole leaks, cracked fittings</li>
<li>Signs to Look For - Wet drywall, puddles, hissing sounds</li>
</ul>
Roof Leaks
<ul>
<li>Examples - Damaged shingles, flashing, ice dams</li>
<li>Signs to Look For - water stains on ceiling, attic moisture</li>
</ul>
Appliance Failure
<ul>
<li>Examples - Dishwasher, washer, fridge line</li>
<li>Signs to Look For - Leaks under appliance, warped flooring</li>
</ul>
HVAC Leaks
<ul>
<li>Examples - Clogged drain lines, cracked pans</li>
<li>Signs to Look For - Moisture near HVAC unit or duct work</li>
</ul>
Sewer Backups
<ul>
<li>Examples - Blockages, flood conditions</li>
<li>Signs to Look For - Foul odor, black water, visible waste</li>
</ul>
Groundwater Intrusion
<ul>
<li>Examples - Foundation cracks, hydrostatic pressure</li>
<li>Signs to Look For - Water along baseboards, musty smell</li>
</ul>
Condensation/vapor drive
<ul>
<li>Examples - High humidity, temperature imbalance</li>
<li>Signs to Look For - Cold surfaces sweating, mold on walls</li>
</ul>

Identify Common Sources of Water Loss

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Once the source is identified, classify the water per&nbsp;IICRC S500:
Category:
<ul>
<li>Category 1 &ndash; Clean water (e.g., supply lines)</li>
<li>Category 2 &ndash; Gray water (e.g., appliance discharge)</li>
<li>Category 3 &ndash; Black water (e.g., sewage, flooding)</li>
</ul>
Class:
<ul>
<li>Class 1 &ndash; Minimal absorption</li>
<li>Class 2 &ndash; Medium absorption (carpet, pad, drywall)</li>
<li>Class 3 &ndash; Saturated ceilings, walls, insulation</li>
<li>Class 4 &ndash; Deeply bound water in wood, plaster, concrete</li>
</ul>
These affect the drying strategy, equipment, PPE, and timeline.

Determine Water Category and Class

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All findings must be:
<ul>
<li data-start="4816" data-end="4872">Written into the job report or moisture mapping form</li>
<li data-start="4875" data-end="4898">Supported by photos</li>
<li data-start="4901" data-end="4950">Labeled clearly in your job management system</li>
</ul>
Include:
<ul>
<li data-start="4967" data-end="5021">Source (e.g., &ldquo;Split supply line behind dishwasher&rdquo;)</li>
<li data-start="5024" data-end="5035">Room/area</li>
<li data-start="5038" data-end="5062">Water category &amp; class</li>
<li data-start="5065" data-end="5126">Notes on whether source has been stopped or requires repair</li>
<li data-start="5129" data-end="5193">Who is responsible for fixing the source (e.g., plumber, roofer)</li>
</ul>

Document the Source and Findings

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Before proceeding:
<ul>
<li data-start="5263" data-end="5304">Inform your crew lead or project manager.</li>
<li data-start="5307" data-end="5347">Review with the homeowner&mdash;let them know:
<ul>
<li data-start="5352" data-end="5370">What the source is</li>
<li data-start="5375" data-end="5405">Whether it has been controlled</li>
<li data-start="5410" data-end="5479">What additional steps (if any) are needed before mitigation can begin</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
In some cases,&nbsp;stop work may be required until the source is professionally repaired.

Communicate Your Findings

Completion Checklist
<ul>
<li data-start="5611" data-end="5660">Spoke with homeowner about symptoms and history</li>
<li data-start="5667" data-end="5706">Visually inspected all affected areas</li>
<li data-start="5713" data-end="5769">Used moisture detection tools to track water migration</li>
<li data-start="5776" data-end="5822">Identified and confirmed source of intrusion</li>
<li data-start="5829" data-end="5864">Assigned water category and class</li>
<li data-start="5871" data-end="5926">Documented all findings with photos and written notes</li>
<li data-start="5933" data-end="5980">Reported findings to supervisor and homeowner</li>
<li data-start="5987" data-end="6047">Verified that source is controlled or scheduled for repair</li>
</ul>