Homes can experience a variety of water damage situations. They could vary by the amount of water in the area, the source, or the type of water. It’s important that homeowners know all of the information surrounding their water damage problem so that it can be addressed properly.
The type of water in the home is perhaps one of the most important pieces of information that a homeowner can have. There are some situations where health and safety can be at risk because of the contaminants in the water. Unfortunately, homeowners don’t usually know what kind of water they are dealing with, so they can put themselves in harm’s way if they clean it up on their own.
Therefore, it’s crucial that homeowners understand the different types of water damage and how to identify them. Keep reading to learn more about the three types of water that could be in a home:
- Clean Water
- Grey Water
- Black Water
Category 1: Clean Water
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has categorized the different types of water, starting with clean water. Category 1 clean water damage is ranked as the least severe type of water damage on the institute’s scale. The reason that it is classified as the “least severe” has nothing to do with how much damage it can cause. It simply receives this classification because it is dealing with clean water free of toxins or sewage.
Since the water is considered clean by these standards, it is usually easier to clean up the affected area. In most cases, items that have been damaged by category 1 water can simply be dried. Homeowners do not need to worry about any potential side effects from contamination down the road.
How Can Homeowners Tell if Water Is Category 1?
Clean water is usually easy to identify because it is clear. However, it’s also important to consider the source. This type of water damage typically comes from broken pipes and water supply lines. It can also occur when a sink or bathtub has overflowed. In some cases, it can even come from a leaking water supply line connected to an appliance.
Category 2: Grey Water
The IICRC classifies grey water as category 2 water damage. Unlike clean water, grey water puts the homeowner at risk of being exposed to some contaminants. They may or may not be harmful to humans, so homeowners should use caution when coming in contact with category 2 water damage. In fact, they need to wear the proper protective equipment to ensure their health and safety.
Though it isn’t as severe as category 3 water damage, grey water can contain waste and chemicals that may prove to be harmful in the future. Therefore, it’s not recommended to just dry the affected area. It will require some cleaning and disinfecting as well.
How to Identify Grey Water
In order to determine if the water is category 2, homeowners should pay close attention to the source. It may be difficult to determine by the appearance of the water alone. Category 2 water damage usually comes from appliances, such as toilets, washing machines, and sump pumps. However, the leaks usually occur from the drainage hoses rather than the main water supply, which is clean. This water may laundry detergent, cleaning chemicals, and other contaminants.
Category 3: Black Water
Finally, the IICRC categorizes black water as the most severe type of water damage. This is due to the danger it poses to people, animals, and the objects it comes in contact with. This type of water damage usually has significant levels of contaminants, such as human waste, biohazards, or chemicals. Therefore, it requires swift action to protect homeowners and their property, and most importantly, it requires special PPE to keep the contractors safe.
When category 3 water damage occurs, homeowners should expect an extensive restoration process that includes removing all items from the property so that they can be properly sanitized and cleaned. The house itself will also have to undergo serious disinfecting processes.
How to Identify Black Water
Homeowners can identify black water usually by its appearance and odor, but the source should also be considered. It can come from sewage backups, seawater, river or groundwater, and floods.
Request Professional Help to Identify the Types of Water Damage in a Home
Homeowners don’t have to leave it all to their guesswork. It’s best if they contact a team of professional
water damage restoration specialists who can accurately identify the type of water damage in their home. The experts of
Superior Cleaning & Restoration are available 24/7 to help with emergencies, so homeowners should contact them right away.
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