Contamination and cleanup

Category 3 water
The most contaminated class of water in restoration standards, including sewage and water with fecal matter.
Containment
Plastic sheeting, zipper doors and sometimes negative air used to isolate the work area.
Negative air
A fan unit with filtration that exhausts air from the work area so the pressure is lower than the rest of the house.
HEPA
High-efficiency particulate air filtration used in air scrubbers and vacuums.
Antimicrobial
A product applied to cleaned surfaces to reduce microbial growth; it supplements cleaning rather than replacing it.
PPE
Personal protective equipment such as gloves, respirators, eye protection and disposable suits.
Flood cut
A straight horizontal cut in drywall above the wet line so the lower section can be removed.

Plumbing

Lateral (service line)
The private pipe that carries wastewater from the house to the public main.
Cleanout
A capped access fitting that lets a plumber get a cable or camera into the line.
Wye
A Y-shaped fitting where one pipe joins another, including where a lateral meets the main.
Belly
A sagging section of pipe where water and solids collect.
Hydro-jetting
Cleaning a line with high-pressure water rather than a cutting cable.
Backwater valve
A one-way valve that closes when sewage flows back toward the house.

Drying and insurance

Moisture map or log
A record of readings at fixed points over the drying period.
Dehumidifier (LGR)
A low-grain refrigerant unit that removes moisture from the air in a drying setup.
Endorsement
An add-on to an insurance policy, such as water or sewer backup coverage.
Declarations page
The summary page of a policy listing coverages, limits and deductibles.
Assignment of benefits
A document that lets a contractor deal with your insurer and receive payment directly.
Scope
The written list of work to be done, often in line-item form.

Why vocabulary matters

Small wording differences carry weight. A scope that says clean carpet instead of remove carpet means something very different for a sewage loss. An insurance letter that mentions surface water instead of drain backup may point to a different part of the policy. Reading carefully and asking about any word that seems off is one of the most useful things a homeowner can do in the days after a backup.

General information for Thornton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.