Understanding Water Damage Categories

6/10/2022 (Permalink)

It can be stressful to experience a water loss in your home, from a broken pipe to a toilet back up. Did you know there are categories of water? Water coming from different sources can come with some risks.  

Clean water or Category 1 comes from just that; a “clean” water source from an incoming water supply line, or various incoming water pipes running through the walls going to bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room or anywhere water is used. This is fresh water and generally not dangerous.

Gray water or Category 2 comes from a dishwasher or washing machine. It’s a little dirty before it reaches the drain line. It’s a little less dangerous. This water is not drinkable and can harbor soaps, pathogens or other materials that are not healthy to drink.

Black water or Category 3 comes from a sewer drain, toilet drain back up or outside ground water. Outside ground water could be from a broken sprinkler that has flooded the yard or planters and has come into the home or it could be flood water from a storm. It has a high risk of disease-causing pathogens, bacteria. 

In any instance it is important to mitigate or remove the water it right away to prevent ongoing and secondary damages. Remove any standing water, clear the area of furniture if possible and call SERVPRO of Fountain Valley. We can insure your home is mitigated properly based on the category of water. It could be as simple as drying the affected materials in place, or as complex as removing the affected materials and applying an antimicrobial treatment to leave you with a properly dried disinfected, safe home.