Knowing The Different Water Types During Water Damage Cleanup

When water damage occurs in your home in Galveston, you may think that it is all the same. While all water damage emergencies do require a timely cleanup to avoid any further problems, not all types of water damage are equal. In fact, there are three different categories of water that can damage your home, and each causes its own problems and requires certain steps to properly clean it up. It is important to know which type of water you are dealing with in your home so that you can be sure to take the right precautions to get it cleaned up.

Category 1: Clean Water

Category 1 water comes from a clean source, such as a leaky faucet or broken supply line. Water damage cleanup from category 1 water is fairly simple. First, water must be extracted and dried completely. Then, damaged materials can be repaired or replaced. If category 1 water is not remediated quickly and correctly, it can turn into category 2 or 3 water.

Category 2: Gray Water

Category 2 water is contaminated water that may contain bacteria and viruses. Common sources of category 2 water include dishwasher overflow, washing machine overflow, and toilet overflow (without feces).  This type of water could cause illness by coming in contact with it and needs to be handled promptly. Not only is adequate drying needed, but thorough disinfecting must also take place.  If left untreated, category 2 water can very quickly degrade to category 3 water.

Category 3: Black Water

Like the name entails, category 3 water is grossly contaminated. All contact should be avoided because this type of water can cause serious illness and even death if ingested. Blackwater can come from flooding streams, canals or rivers, water from the sewer line, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or long-standing water that has begun to grow microbes.  This type of water requires a professional clean up with the use of specialized equipment to safely remove contaminants. 

If you are unsure which type of water you are dealing with, be sure to call a water damage cleanup team. With the proper training and equipment, restoration crews that specialize in sewage remediation can determine the water category and proceed with an appropriate plan of action. While you are waiting for the water damage cleanup team to arrive, there are steps you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe from contaminated water.

• Keep children and pets away from the affected area
• Contact your insurance company and let them know a restoration team is on their way. Take pictures of the damage as proof for your insurance adjuster.
• Stop the further spread of contamination by keeping the area contained as best as possible.
• Be sure to use personal protective equipment such as face masks, rubber gloves and boots, and impervious coveralls if you have to go into the area.
• Turn off all electrical power to your home in the affected area.
• Turn off the water supply and any running water into the home or area.
• DO NOT use the HVAC unit to ventilate the area because that can spread microbes through the air. If possible, open windows in the affected area to get airflow. 
• Remove any dry, uncontaminated items out of the area. 

Water Damage Cleanup In Galveston

Dealing with water damage, no matter what type it is, is stressful and potentially dangerous. When you need help with water damage cleanup, ServiceMaster by Century will take care of you and your home.