SERVPRO of Metairie expands on the three categories of water damage

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: Do you have a water damage situation? SERVPRO® of Metairie outlines all you should know about the three Categories of Water Damage.

Not all water is equal. That's why you can't drink or even bathe with just any water. This also applies to water damage restoration. When a water damage incident happens in your home or business, and you call a water damage restoration company, they may ask to know the source of the water. The information will help them determine the effort, equipment, and materials needed to clean and restore your property.

Many property owners don't know this, which often creates a communication gap. So, the team at SERVPRO of Metairie, a water damage restoration company in Freret, New Orleans, LA, has outlined the three categories of water damage to help you understand their differences.

Category 1 water damage: clean water damage

This type of water damage is caused by clean and uncontaminated water. For example, if a glass cup filled with drinkable water breaks, it will be classified as Category 1 water damage since it is clean.

But, while clean water damage is not harmful to people or animals, it needs to be cleaned quickly. Any remaining standing water could result in mold growth or structural damage, which would become problematic in the future.

If the cleanup isn't done quickly or thoroughly enough, Category 1 water damage can quickly become Category 2. That's why engaging a water damage restoration specialist is preferable, even for Category 1 water damage.

Hiring an expert is the best way to guarantee that all the water has been cleared. Category 1 water damage can come from several sources, including:

• Leaking pipes
• Rainwater
• Melting ice/snow
• Water heaters
• Clogged sinks
• Broken toilets
• Bathtub overflow
• Water supply lines
• Toilet tanks

Category 2 water damage: grey water

Category 2 water damage, also known as grey water damage, is brought on by contaminated water containing chemical agents or biological components like bacteria or mold.

Grey water damage is generally safe for humans to come into touch with, but ingesting it could make you ill. The same water damage restoration techniques for clean water damage must be used when dealing with Category 2 water damage, plus one more step.

The water damage restoration team must first remove any standing water and then cleanse and disinfect any soaked surface or belongings to prevent hazardous chemicals and germs from compromising your health.

Examples of Category 2 water damage sources include:

• Sump pump failures
• Septic backups
• Dishwasher discharge
• Washing machine discharge
• Fire sprinklers
• Punctured water beds
• Broken aquariums
• Condensate moisture from refrigerators

Category 3 water damage: black water

Category 3, also referred to as black water damage, is the last thing you want to happen to your property. This type of water damage is caused by water highly contaminated with raw sewage and typically comes from a property's septic tank or public sewage systems.

Category 3 water damage is dangerous and can pose significant health hazards to anyone nearby. To protect you and your family from injury, call a water damage restoration specialist immediately and leave the area.

The water damage restoration team would wear protective gear and use specialized equipment to avoid getting sick due to the high level of contamination in the water. The water would also not be pumped outside your property. Rather it will be cleared and transported to a safe area.

Category 3 water damage can come from many sources, including:

• Sewage
• Seawater
• Wind-driven rain from tropical storms and hurricanes
• River and stream water levels rising

Get professional water damage restoration in Freret and New Orleans, LA

The water damage restoration team at SERVPRO of Metairie is available to help you with all your water damage restoration needs, regardless of the category. Their trained and certified technicians can handle clean, grey, or black water damage.

Once you call them, their team will come to your property and carry out professional water mitigation and damage restoration to get it to its preloss state.

Call SERVPRO of Metairie at (504) 496-0193 to request their services.