Water damage is the worst fear of all homeowners. No matter it is a leaky pipe, roof leak or flood it will most likely cause severe damage to your house. The bad news? It occurs when you are in the process of planning something. Understanding how categories of water damage occurs helps you act fast. This way, you can prevent it from spreading.
We’ll discuss each and how to tell if you have it and why you should treat it as quickly as possible.
What Are the Types of Water Damage?
Water damage has three categories. These depend on the type of water and the health risks. They assist to determine the magnitude of the risk and the degree of damage. Knowing the type of water damage helps you choose the best way to fix it.
Let us consider each of the categories:
Clean Water Damage
The clean water is the safest type which can cause water damages. It originated from a safe and sanitary source. It is not certain to affect the health of people directly. Nevertheless, this does not mean that water damage restoration need not be dealt with. Even as clean water, it might pose danger to buildings and provide the ideal environment for mold.
Common Clean Water Sources of Damage:
- Leaks or burst pipes
- Apppliance breakdowns (such as refrigerators, washing machines, or dishwashers)
- Bathtub or sink overflowing
- Rain water leaks (if the water source itself is the roof)
Clean water has no harmful bacteria or diseases, so it’s safe to use in most situations. The longer the water is allowed to sit in the affected area, the more likely it is to begin to grow mold or bacteria. That’s why you need to get the water out so fast and dry out the areas that are affected as soon as you notice it.
Even though the liquid appears “clean,” it will ruin carpets, furniture, and flooring. It will also destroy drywall. The faster you can shut off the flow of water more effectively, the better your opportunity to limit the damage.
Grey Water Damage
Grey Water is one grade higher than regular water. It’s not as deadly as black, but it’s more polluted and can ill you if you do not take care to treat it the correct manner. Grey water has chemicals and bacteria that can harm your loved ones. Ingesting it or long-term exposure to these toxins can be dangerous.
Grey Water Damage Sources:
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
- Sinks and bathtubs (if there is waste material)
- Aquarium or fish tanks
- Toilets (without fecal material)
While grey water isn’t as toxic to black water. Grey water can make the skin itch. It can also infect anyone who touches it. Plus, it can upset the stomach if someone comes into contact with it. If water is contaminated with soap, detergent, or other chemicals, it isn’t “clean.” Prolonged contact can lead to serious health issues.
Black Water Damage
Black Water is the most damaging and dangerous type in water damage. It’s water that is highly contaminated with pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. Black water should never be touched because contact with it causes serious sickness.
Sources of Black Water Damage:
- Sewage backups
- River, lake or ocean floods
- Storm surges
- Toilets holding fecal matter or waste
- Storm standing-water large
Black water is very harmful to your health. It can have bacteria, viruses, and parasites that make you feel sick. Don’t try to clean black water yourself if your property is damaged by it. Always hire a pro restoration firm. They will expertly remove the water and disinfect the area.
Classifications of Water Damage
Besides the water categories, we can also assess water damage by how far it has spread. These classifications determine the damage amount and the restoration time.
Class 1: Minor Damage
Damage is when the affected area is minimal like a few inches of water on the carpet or floor. The carpet or floor is not completely saturated, and they can be removed with minimal effort.
Class 2: Moderate Damage
Damage has further damage and greater saturation of the material. Water can penetrate walls, baseboards and carpeting as a case in point. More effort and work is required in drying out rotten materials to bring them back to normal.
Class 3: Extensive Damage
Damages are the worst. They involve a lot of water getting into the building material. It may be ceiling, walls and insulation, furniture. Restoration, at this point may involve removal and reinstalling materials damaged.
Class 4: Specialty Damage
Is water damage in materials with absorbency such as wood or concrete. They hold water in these materials for a long time. So, special drying methods must be used to bring them back.
Prevention of Future Water Damage
You can’t schedule a day for water damage, but you can avoid it. There are ways to minimize the damage, too.
- Check your plumbing regularly for leaks or wear and tear and wear and tear.
- Keep your gutters and roof clean. This helps prevent water from getting in during storms.
- Set up alarms to find water leaks in key spots like basements and kitchens. This helps catch leaks before they start.
- Regularly inspect appliances for any issues Particularly dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters.
You may want to install a sump pump in flood-prone areas.
Conclusion
Water damage can hit you unexpectedly. Knowing the types of water damage helps you respond fast and make smart choices. Knowing the difference between clean and smoky water can help you clean up better. It also protects your health and home from damage.
If there is flooding, the sooner you remove it and fix, the better. For a simple clean-up or a full restoration, it’s best to hire professionals. They can handle the damage properly.