Water extraction is one of the most important steps in a water damage restoration project. You must remove the water both quickly and as thoroughly in order to mitigate the loss.
Proper extraction can remove as much as 97% of the water present in carpet and cushion. But, without proper extraction procedures the drying process will be slowed.
Drying the structure is an extremely important aspect in handling a water loss. This involves much more than drying carpet and pad. You will need to locate and dry all affect materials. If the structure is not dried appropriately the damage can progress to include secondary damage and possibly amplification of mold and bacteria. Proper drying procedures can save the property owner and the insurance company thousands of dollars in replacement costs
Water restoration is categorized in three methods.
Category one, or clean-water floods originate from sources do not contain harmful bacteria or pathogens pose a substantial threat to humans.
These sources may be from broken pipes or appliances, falling rain or melting snow, or sink or tub overflows that do not hold contaminants. It is important to remove the water as quickly as possible.
With time bacteria and mold that contact wet surfaces will multiply.
The water has also come in contact with soil and other contaminants. It may escalate from a clean water flood (category 1) to a gray (category two) or even a black water flood (category three).
Category 2, or gray water floods, originate from sources that contain a significant level of contamination and have the potential to cause illness to humans.
These sources may be from overflows from dishwashers, washing machines, toilets or seepage from aquariums or waterbeds. It is important to remove the water as quickly as possible.
Gray water that remains untreated several days may escalate to a category 3 (black water) flood.
Category 3 (black water) floods contain pathogenic agents and are grossly unsanitary. These are typically from rising water such as river flooding or sewage back-flows but can come from other sources such as a Category 2 flood that has not been removed promptly.
Toilet back-flows that originate from beyond the toilet trap are considered black water contamination regardless of visible content, color or odor.
Technicians performing gray or black water restoration must be trained in microbiology, biocide use, psychrometry, and health and safety equipment use.