Water and damage terms
- Category 1, 2, 3
- A scale for water contamination from clean through gray to black. Source and time determine which applies.
- Class of loss
- A ranking of how much water and how many absorbent materials are involved, from small to extensive.
- Wicking
- Water climbing up drywall, carpet or wood by absorption, beyond the visible wet line.
- Saturation
- The point at which a material cannot hold more water.
- Cupping
- Wood boards curling at the edges after absorbing water.
Equipment terms
- Air mover
- A high-velocity fan that moves air across wet surfaces.
- Dehumidifier (LGR)
- Equipment that removes water vapor from air; LGR stands for low-grain refrigerant.
- Desiccant dehumidifier
- A unit that uses an absorbing material, useful in colder spaces.
- Hygrometer
- A device that measures relative humidity and temperature.
- Moisture meter
- A handheld tool that estimates moisture in building materials.
Why vocabulary matters on an insurance file
Adjusters and contractors read the same terms differently if no one defines them. A category assignment affects what must be removed. A class assignment affects equipment quantities. When two estimates use the same word for different things, comparing them becomes unreliable. Keep this glossary beside the estimates, underline the terms that affect decisions and ask for the definition each writer is using.
Process and paperwork terms
- Mitigation
- Work done to stop damage from growing, such as extraction and drying.
- Restoration
- Rebuilding and finishing after drying.
- Demolition
- Removal of wet or damaged materials.
- Dry standard
- The target reading showing a material is dry.
- Scope of work
- A written description of the tasks planned.
- Psychrometrics
- The study of air, temperature and humidity that guides equipment choices.
Using the glossary
Keep this page open when you read an estimate or a daily report. If a term is used in a way that does not match its meaning here, ask the writer to explain. A good contractor can restate a scope in plain words.
Terms can be defined slightly differently from one company or insurer to another. When it matters, ask which definition is being used and note it in your records.
Common questions
Do I need to learn all of this?
No. Learn the terms that appear on your estimate and logs, and ask about the rest.
Where do these categories come from?
They are drawn from industry standards for water damage restoration, which your contractor or insurer may reference.
General information for Northglenn, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.