Categories of Water Damage

10/4/2021 (Permalink)

When water damage strikes, trust the professionals at SERVPRO of North Pensacola to help!

Water damages can occur from a variety of sources: flood waters, broken or leaking pipes, supply line malfunctions, wind-driven rain, and the list goes on…

Although many residents and business leaders throughout the Pensacola community understand the many ways that a water damage can occur, many are unaware of the different categories of water damage.  Understanding the category, and the risks associated with each type of water, is imperative in determining the steps that must be taken during the remediation process:

• Category 1, or “Clean Water” is water from a clean source, such as a broken water supply line or faucet. If left untreated, category 1 water can quickly degrade into category 2 or 3 water depending upon factors such as time, temperature, and contact with contaminants.
• Category 2, or “Gray Water” has a significant level of contamination that could cause discomfort or illness if ingested. Sources for category 2 water may include washing machine overflow or dishwasher overflow.  Just as category 1 water can quickly degrade, category 2 can also degrade into category 3 water over time.
• Category 3, or “Black Water” is grossly unsanitary and could cause severe illness or death if ingested, and any contact should be avoided. Sources for category 3 water could include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.

The category of water helps your remediation professional to determine what can be dried and salvaged, what must be discarded, and how much demolition may be needed in the structure.  SERVPRO of North Pensacola, with IICRC training, follows all industry standards in handling water damages, to help restore your property, and make your loss “Like it never even happened.”  To learn more about our services, or request help, please give us a call at 850-466-3076 today!