Three Types of Water Damage in a Property

2/25/2016 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO if you have water damage in your home, regardless of its category!

(Updated April 18, 2019)

Most homeowners in the Lenoir and Taylorsville areas think that all water damages are the same. In reality, there are three different water categories, each ranked according to their risk factor associated with cleanup. Due to the varying safety risk factors, each category of water damage requires a different treatment and restoration method. To better understand the water restoration process, let’s examine each of the water damage categories.

Category 1: Clean Water

Category 1 water damage is clean water—potable water that has escaped from its containment. This type of water can result from a burst water pipe, a damaged water supply line to the fridge, or an under-the-sink pinhole leak. The damage can be significant if it goes unnoticed, but it does not often pose health risks or require intense cleaning efforts. Once the source of the water is repaired, it is generally the easiest category of water damage to clean up. However, if the water is left standing for an extended period of time, the water may degrade into gray water.

Category 2: Gray Water

Category 2 water damage—also known as gray water—caused by gray water can be contaminated and dangerous to handle without safety gear. Gray water refers to water that is from a source such as a washing machine, dishwasher, leaky HVAC system, or water heater. It contains soap products or other chemicals that originated from piped-in drinking water. This water becomes contaminated and contains microbial bacteria, which will cause the water to become more and more unsanitary. Drinking this water can make you ill or uncomfortable. 

Category 3: Black Water

Category 3 water damage—otherwise known as black water—is the worst and most destructive type of water damage. This is water that intrudes a highly unsanitary source or carries pathogenic agents, such as flood water and discharge from a sewage/septic system. This kind of water damage requires the most intensive treatment from our water damage professionals, requiring equipment such as PPE and several types of cleaning agents. In fact, those with compromised immune systems should evacuate from areas affected with category 3 water damage.

Your Local Water Damage Professionals

Regardless of the classification, water damage should be addressed by professionals immediately. Fortunately, after serving the Lenoir and Taylorsville communities for a decade, our team has the resources and the experience to take care of any water damage. Day or night, you can expect us to respond immediately to your water emergency. So if you need professional help, call SERVPRO of Alexander & Caldwell Counties today at (828) 396-1070!