Glossary
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- Air mover
- A high-velocity fan placed to move air across wet surfaces and speed evaporation during structural drying.
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- Air scrubber
- A portable machine with HEPA filtration that cleans airborne particles such as soot, dust, and mold spores during restoration work.
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- Antimicrobial
- A product applied to surfaces to inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold after water damage or remediation.
- ATP testing
- A swab test that measures organic residue on a surface, sometimes used to help confirm cleaning after biohazard work.
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- Backwater valve
- A plumbing valve that lets sewage flow out of a building but closes to stop it from flowing back in during a sewer backup.
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- Black water (Category 3)
- Grossly contaminated water such as sewage, rising floodwater, or storm surge. Porous materials it touches are usually removed and the area disinfected.
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- Bloodborne pathogens
- Disease-causing microorganisms in human blood. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) sets workplace rules for handling them.
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- Board-up
- Covering broken windows, doors, and openings with plywood after a fire or storm to protect the property from weather and entry.
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- Clean water (Category 1)
- Water from a sanitary source such as a supply line or overflowing sink. Materials can often be dried in place if work starts quickly.
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- Containment
- Plastic barriers, often with negative air pressure, that keep mold spores, dust, or contaminants inside the work area.
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- Contents pack-out
- Inventorying, packing, and moving belongings off site for cleaning and storage while a property is restored.
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- Crawl space encapsulation
- Sealing a crawl space with a heavy vapor barrier, often with dehumidification, to control moisture and prevent mold.
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- Dehumidifier
- A machine that removes moisture from the air so wet materials keep releasing water. Low-grain refrigerant units are common in restoration.
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- Flood cut
- Removing drywall in a straight line above the water mark so the wall cavity and insulation can be dried or replaced.
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- Gray water (Category 2)
- Water with some contamination, such as washing machine or dishwasher discharge. Porous items often need cleaning or removal.
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- HEPA filter
- A high-efficiency particulate air filter that captures very small particles, used in vacuums and air scrubbers during mold and soot cleanup.
- Hydroxyl generator
- Equipment that produces hydroxyl radicals to break down odor molecules, and can often be used in occupied spaces.
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- Ice dam
- A ridge of ice at the edge of a roof that traps melting snow, forcing water under shingles and into attics and ceilings.
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- IICRC
- The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, which publishes industry standards such as S500 for water damage, S520 for mold, and S700 for fire and smoke damage.
- Mitigation
- The first phase of a loss: the steps taken to stop damage from getting worse, such as extraction, removing saturated materials, and drying.
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- Moisture mapping
- Using moisture meters and thermal imaging to trace where water has traveled inside walls, floors, and ceilings.
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- Negative air
- Exhausting air from a contained work area so air flows in, not out, keeping spores and dust from escaping.
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- Puff-back
- A misfire in an oil furnace or boiler that blows soot through ductwork and into rooms.
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- Remediation
- Removing contamination, such as mold or biohazards, and correcting the conditions that caused it.
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- Restoration
- Returning a damaged property to its condition before the loss, including mitigation and repairs.
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- Soot
- Fine black residue from incomplete combustion. It smears easily and can be acidic, so it is removed with dry methods first.
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- Structural drying
- Drying the building itself, including walls, framing, and subfloors, with air movers and dehumidifiers until moisture readings return to normal.
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- Sump pump
- A pump in a basement pit that removes groundwater. Failure during heavy rain is a common cause of basement flooding.
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- Thermal imaging
- An infrared camera that shows temperature differences, often revealing hidden moisture behind walls and ceilings.
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- Vapor barrier
- A plastic sheet that slows moisture moving from the ground into a crawl space or building.
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