Water damage is the loss caused by water intrusion that enables the attack of a material or system by destructive processes like rotting of wood, growth of mold and bacteria, rusting of metal, swelling of wood, etc. Water damage is one of the most common causes of property damage. Insurance claims related to water damage run into billions of dollars every year in the US. Though water damage is so common, it is also frequently overlooked by homeowners.
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Water damage can be sudden or gradual. And though preventive measures can be taken, water damage still happens more often than people think it would. A water damage restoration company is of very great assistance then. Suncoast Contractors Emergency Service Inc. provides affordable, high-quality water damage restoration services in Gulf Stream and different places in South Florida. This article by Suncast Contractors gives an understanding of the 3 categories of water damage.
Water damage can vary in severity depending on different factors like the time for which property was exposed to water, temperature, environment, and the lack of measures to treat the water damage. But the condition of the water causing damage has the greatest impact on the severity of water damage. It is also the main deciding factor as to how the damage can be handled safely.
There are 3 categories of water damage. These are designated by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification).
Categories of Water Damage
Category 1 Water Damage (Clean Water Damage)
Category 1 water damage is caused by water that does not pose a threat or significant harm to people and pets. The water causing damage is considered to be clean water. Water is considered to be clean water when is from a considerably sanitary or natural source. It can be from broken water supply pipes, overflowing sinks and bathtubs that have no contaminants present, broken appliances, melting ice or snow, or rainwater. Even though clean water is less dangerous because it is not contaminated, cleanup must be done immediately. Water left standing or on surfaces can lead to mold growth. Usually, items affected by category 1 water damage may be dried and cleaned easily with minimum complications that can affect the owner later.
Category 2 Water Damage (Grey Water Damage)
Water that is mixed with chemicals, or water with biological or chemical contaminants (urine, detergents, is called grey water. This type of water causes Category 2 water damage. humans or pets who come into contact with grey water can fall ill or experience discomfort. The grey water can be from appliances like dishwashers and washing machines that malfunction during a cycle, overflowing toilets that contain only urine and water, failure of sump pumps, water from sprinklers installed for fire safety, and chilled or condensed water.
Category 2 water damage requires a regular cleanup and all the damaged areas must be thoroughly and swiftly decontaminated. Personal protection like gloves or boots is to be used to protect skin from grey water. Children and pets must be kept away from areas affected by category 2 water damage. Category 2 water damage can be handled safely by a water damage restoration company. Homes and businesses affected by water damage can contact Suncoast Contractors for services in Gulf Stream.
Category 3 Water Damage ( Black water damage)
Category 3 water damage is the worst type of water damage. It is caused by grossly contaminated water that is called black water. It can result from a natural disaster or raw sewage. This water contains chemicals, pathogens, pesticides, and other harmful biological/chemical substances. Flood water and ocean water are also considered black water as they can contain unknown contaminants.
Category 3 water damage must be handled by a professional water damage repair service. They will handle the water with specialized equipment, and protective devices, swiftly and safely.
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It is good to be aware of the categories of water damage so that the best remedial measures are sought. It is important to remember that whatever the category of water damage, time is of the essence. Water damage restoration must be initiated as soon as possible to limit the extent of damage and reduce complications like mold growth. Suncoast Contractors Emergency Service Inc. is a South-Florida-based company that is family owned and has been operated by 3 generations. They are fully licensed for water remediation, construction, electrical, remodeling, and general contracting services. Families and businesses facing water damage in Gulf Stream can reach out to Suncoast Contractors Emergency Service Inc. via phone at (561) 316-3989 or by email at suncoastcpr@gmail.com.
