If you have suffered water damage in your home, classifying it into a category is probably the last thing on your mind. Believe it or not, it is for your benefit to classify water damage Orange County into a corresponding type, because this affects the whole home restoration process. There are only three types of water damage and they each require a different remedying approach. Read on to find out more.
Category one – clean water
As far as the consequences of water damage go, this type of water damage is on the bottom of the page. It is the easiest to handle and it contains no immediate health hazards and microcontaminants within. The water is characterized as clean, as it comes from clean water sources, such as a malfunctioning appliance, an overflowing sink or bathtub or a broken water line.
If found quickly, it can be treated very easily by properly cleaning and drying the affected area and the surrounding walls. This has to be done expediently before any mold or fungus appears and starts to spread. If, however, the water has been left standing for more than a day or two, it is no longer clean nor safe to take care of without professional assistance.
Types of water damage: Category two – gray water
Although this type of water is considered not to have fecal matter, you should still prevent it from ever touching your skin. It is sometimes called sullage and contains some microbes which can be very hazardous to your health. Most commonly, it comes from washing machines, dishwashers, bathtubs and toilet overflows.
Other likely sources include a weather event such as excess snow or rainfall, a leaking roof or a broken pipe. The thing to note about gray water is than it can find its way into all the surrounding floors, carpets and drywall. Again, a timely intervention is the best remedy, but with the implied obligatory use of protective gear. If left untreated, it can become black water in just around 48 hours.
Category three – black water
This is the most dangerous of all types of water damage. Do not, by any means, try to remedy the situation yourself without expert help, as this type of water can contain fecal matter, chemicals, bacteria and more. The heavy level of contamination will most likely cause almost everything the water comes in contact with to become unusable and it needs to be thrown away immediately.
Black water usually comes from sewage, but can also reach households when natural disasters occur. The level of pathogens is dangerous to all living beings and it requires trained professionals to dispose of the water properly.
EHS offers efficient solutions for all types of water damage
Regardless of which type of water has permeated your home, EHS has the necessary tools and the know-how needed to get rid of it efficiently. Our technicians have been trained for these types of situations and they know exactly what to do for the most expedient results. We value your well-being and our services are designed to help you stay safe and get back to normal as soon as possible. Call us for any type of water-related issue and leave the rest to us!