Did you know there was more than 1 type of water?

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Water that goes into your home or comes from your home has what we call a “category’.  If you have an emergency at your home, water needs to be treated correctly to be safe.  You never know what is either in your water of what the water has passed through to create contamination. 

Below there is explanations of the main types of water damage and could help you identify the problem quickly if it ever happens to you.

Category One: Clear Water

This is the cleanest water.  This is also the most non-toxic form of water damage.  It’s possible that this water can come directly from a tap.  It is also unlikely to cause you any harm even if you are exposed to it for some time.  Unfortunately, although fairly safe, even clean flooding can cause electrical and structural faults.  Clean eater floods can come from things like a broken water supply line, appliance malfunctions, and sink or tub overflow with no contaminants.  Once clean water leaves the exit point, it might not remain clean after contacting other surfaces or materials.  Although considered the “safest” of the categories it can become a category 2 or 3 if left untreated.

Category Two: Gray Water

Category two, considered gray water is a little but more serious and does require a faster removal process.  This water needs to be removed faster, because it may contain potentially unsafe levels of chemicals, microorganisms, or dirt.  Some examples of Category 2 water can include but are not limited to: overflow from dishwashers or washing machines; overflows from toilet bowls with urine; seepage due to hydrostatic pressure and broke aquariums.  If a category 2 is left untreated it can quickly become a category 3.

Category Three: Black Water

Water considered a Category three is grossly contaminated water and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents.  Sewage, toilet backflows from beyond the trap; flooding from seawater, rivers or streams, ground surface water, or other contaminated water entering the indoor environment are some of the types of Category 3 waters. 

The team here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington counites is highly skilled in the safe handling of the different categories of water.  We take all protective measures to eliminate the risk of sickness.  If you are experiencing a water loss in your home call us 518-677-3444 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!