Water Damage Glossary
The water damage glossary explains the terms you will hear from restoration companies, insurers and the City. Each entry says what the term means, and names its source where a standard or rule applies.
Can’t find a term? Call (425) 307-0286 and ask.
Find a term by topic
Water types and damage
Standing water
Water that has pooled on floors or other surfaces. It must be removed before drying starts See water extraction and drying.
Porous material
A material that holds water, such as carpet, carpet pad, drywall and insulation. Porous materials that stay wet can need removal (US EPA) See water extraction and drying.
Hidden leak
A leak out of sight, inside a wall, floor or ceiling See what usually floods Bellevue homes.
Secondary damage
Damage that follows the first harm, such as mold, when wet materials are not dried promptly (US EPA) See mold remediation.
Mold
A fungus that can grow on damp building materials. Prompt drying helps prevent mold growth (US EPA) See mold remediation.
Water category
Water is classified by contamination level: clean (Category 1), gray (Category 2) and black (Category 3), such as sewage See water damage categories and classes.
Condensate line
The drain line from an air conditioner or furnace that carries away condensed water See water heater and AC leak damage.
Drain pan
A pan under an air conditioner or furnace that catches condensed water. An overflowing pan can allow moisture to spread into nearby ceilings or walls (US EPA) See water heater and AC leak damage.
Slab leak
A leak in a pipe that runs under a concrete slab foundation See slab leak water damage.
Ceiling stain
A mark on the ceiling that shows water has reached it. The source is often above the stain See ceiling water damage.
Water sources and utilities
Burst pipe
A supply line that has split and released water into the home See burst pipe water damage.
Frozen pipe
A pipe that has frozen. Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to break (City of Bellevue) See frozen pipe guide.
Freezing day
A day when the temperature stays at or below freezing. The NOAA station at Seattle Sand Point averages 25.0 freezing days per year (1991–2020 normals) See frozen pipe guide.
Storm water
Rain or runoff that enters a home from outside through a roof, doors, foundations or low areas. Bellevue’s stormwater system moves runoff toward Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish (City of Bellevue) See flood and storm water damage.
Sewer backup
Sewage that rises through drains from a blocked line. Sewage is contaminated water (US EPA) See sewage cleanup.
Water main
The City pipe that carries water along the street. For a major water-main or street leak, call Bellevue Utilities at 425-452-7840 (City of Bellevue).
Private side sewer
The sewer line from the home to the City connection. Problems in this line are generally handled by a private plumber (City of Bellevue) See sewage cleanup.
Drying and restoration work
Water extraction
Removing standing water from floors, carpet and pad See water extraction and drying.
Structural drying
Drying walls, floors and cabinets after extraction, with equipment that moves air and removes moisture See water extraction and drying.
Moisture meter
A tool that measures how much moisture a material holds. Moisture meters can also monitor the drying process (US EPA) See how long drying takes.
Moisture reading
The number a moisture meter shows for a material. Readings are recorded at each visit See how long drying takes.
Dry standard
The moisture level a material must reach before drying stops See how long drying takes.
Mitigation
Work that stops further damage, such as extraction and drying See water extraction and drying.
Remediation
Cleaning or removing mold growth from building materials See mold remediation.
Restoration
Returning the home to its condition before the damage See water damage repair.
Pre-loss condition
The condition of the home before the damage happened See water damage repair.
Flood cut
A straight cut in drywall above the wet line so the wall cavity can dry See water damage repair.
Documentation
Dated photos, moisture readings and a list of removed materials that record the work for you and your insurer See what happens on the first visit.
Equipment and materials
Air mover
A fan that speeds evaporation from wet surfaces See water extraction and drying.
Dehumidifier
Equipment that removes moisture from the air in the room being dried See water extraction and drying.
Wet vacuum
A vacuum that collects water from floors and carpet. For a small, clean spill on a hard floor, it can remove accumulated water (US EPA) See what to do after water damage.
Carpet pad
The cushion under carpet. Whether pad can be saved depends on the water source and how quickly it is dried (US EPA) See water extraction and drying.
Subfloor
The layer under finished flooring, such as plywood or concrete See water damage repair.
Drywall
The panel that forms interior walls and ceilings See water damage repair.
Insulation
Material inside walls and attics that can hold water See water damage repair.
Insurance and money
Homeowners insurance claim
Your request for payment for a covered loss See Washington water damage insurance guide.
Sudden and accidental damage
Damage that happens suddenly, such as a burst pipe. Homeowner insurance often covers it (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner) See Washington water damage insurance guide.
Gradual leak
A leak that continues over time. Coverage for gradual leaks can differ, so check your policy (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner) See Washington water damage insurance guide.
Deductible
The part of a covered loss that the homeowner pays See Washington water damage insurance guide.
Insurance adjuster
The insurer’s representative who inspects the damage and decides what is covered See Washington water damage insurance guide.
Public adjuster
An adjuster who represents the policyholder. Negotiating an insurance claim on someone’s behalf is public-adjuster activity under Washington law (RCW 48.17.010) See Washington water damage insurance guide.
Claim deadline
The time an insurer has to respond to a claim. Washington rules generally require an investigation within 30 days after notice (WAC 284-30-370) See Washington water damage insurance guide.
Work authorization
A form that lets a restoration company start work. Read it before you sign See hiring a restoration company.
Assignment of benefits
A document that transfers the right to claim payment to another party See hiring a restoration company.
Flood insurance
Separate coverage for rising outside water. Standard homeowner policies often exclude it See flood and storm water damage.
Rules, licenses and who does what
Washington L&I
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries. It registers contractors and licenses plumbers (Washington L&I) See hiring a restoration company.
Contractor registration
The state registration contractors must hold to work in Washington. Bellevue requires contractors to meet it (City of Bellevue) See hiring a restoration company.
Plumbing permit
A City of Bellevue permit for covered plumbing work, including water-heater replacement (City of Bellevue) See water heater and AC leak damage.
Licensed plumber
Only L&I-certified plumbers can legally perform plumbing work on someone else’s property (Washington L&I) See slab leak water damage.
IICRC
A standards body that certifies restoration professionals. Use the IICRC Global Locator to find certified firms (IICRC) See hiring a restoration company.
ANSI/IICRC S500
The water damage restoration standard published by the IICRC See water extraction and drying.
Washington Department of Health
Publishes mold guidance. Washington has no specific certification requirements for mold or water-damage restoration (Washington State Department of Health) See mold remediation.
Bellevue Utilities
The City utility for water and sewer service. For a major water-main or street leak, call 425-452-7840 (City of Bellevue) See frozen pipe guide.
Restoration company
A company that extracts water, dries the home and may repair it. Ask for its registration and insurance (Washington L&I) See hiring a restoration company.