There are lot of different situations where water damage may occur, and depending on the source, water that causes damage to your home can be categorized into three basic types:
- Clean Water
- Grey Water
- Black water
Professional restoration companies will use different techniques to remove the water depending on its classification. Some types of water damage are very dangerous than others—not just to the structure of the building, but also to you and your family.
- Clean Water – Clean Water is the first category of water that can cause damage to your home. Clean water damage comes from a source that is unsurprisingly clean, such as sink or bathtub overflow, broken water line, or appliance malfunction. Clean water sources usually do not contain any harmful contaminants, but be careful because what starts out as category 1 water damage could easily become a higher category water damage if it’s not taken care of as quickly as possible.
- Grey Water – This water contains a higher degree of chemicals, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to. This water type contains micro organisms and nutrients of micro organisms. Examples are toilet bowls with urine (no feces), sump pump failures, seepage due to hydrostatic failure and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines. Again, when left untreated, a grey water situation could become more dangerous quickly.
- Black Water – Black Water damage is as the most dangerous category that could damage your home. Black water includes sewage, flood waters from rivers or streams, or ground water. Black water also contains pathogenic, fungal, and viral contaminations, pesticides, or heavy metals. Black water is a serious health risk to anyone who comes in contact with it unprotected. While removing of black water, full protection is worn by the workers, from facemasks to coveralls. Also, anything that is contaminated with black water can’t be use again and have to be thrown away.
- SKYBLUE RESTORATIONS– www.skybluerestorations.com
- OSHA – Occupational Safety And Health Administration
- EPA- Environmental Protection Agency
- IICRCS500- www.ansi.org/