Flooding on your property can cause extreme damage, no matter how well-prepared you are. Unfortunately, flooding is usually unpredictable and unforeseen. Despite this, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the amount of damage that is inflicted on your home. However, not all water damages are equal. Some types need to be taken on with more caution than others. Understanding the different types of water damage can ensure your safety when dealing with these situations.
Identifying the type of water damage that is inflicting your property is the first step to take to figure out water damage restoration. Water damage restoration professionals customize their restoration process based on this information for an effective and timely recovery.
Clean water damage is the least severe type of water damage that can occur. This water is considered “clean”, so there are no chemicals or sewage present. This damage occurs from broken water supply lines, uncontaminated bath or sink overflows, malfunctioning appliances, etc. Health risks associated with category 1 water damage are low, provided you respond to the situation in less than 48 hours. Usually, only small amounts of damage are done. Anything affected can be dried and easily restored.
Water damage that occurs from category two contains water that is considered “greywater”. Greywater is any water that contains enough contamination to possibly cause sickness if it comes in contact with people. It can promote bacterial growth and the severity of the condition will worsen over time. Both direct and indirect exposure to greywater damage can affect your personal health and property. Common sources of greywater equipment discharge are chemical wastes like detergent, laundry, and soap.
Of all the categories of water damage, blackwater is the most severe. Black water includes sewage, rising flood waters, seawater, as well as river and groundwater. It contains grossly contaminated water that carries harmful pollutants, which have huge, negative effects on the body if consumed or contacted. This water type hoards bacteria, viruses, and other toxic allergens, which makes it contagious. Homes that are impacted by blackwater require that serious caution is taken when trying to clean up after it. Unfortunately, most items impacted by blackwater will not be saved, as the contamination is too dangerous. Professionals will have to replace flooring, insulation, carpet, drywall, and more to keep contamination away from you. The home will also need to undergo significant disinfection in order to safely reenter the area.
Water damage is extremely stressful and should not be dealt with on your own. No matter the type of water damage, floods can be extremely dangerous to both your health and your property. Extreme caution must be taken to ensure your safety and those around you. Regardless of the type of water damage, professionals at Yellow Van are knowledgeable in water damage restoration and will extract all signs of problems. They are ready to bring your home back to its original state after a disaster. Contact professionals at Yellow Van to help with your water damage restoration.