Do you know about the different types of floodwater? If not, keep reading.
If you have recently experienced flooding in your home, you must know that the cleanup techniques and tools that you will use depend on the type of floodwater you are dealing with. To make your life simple, we will discuss the types of floodwater you might be faced with in your home. Based on that, you can address the problem.
So, let’s begin.
Floodwater Type # 1: Clean Water
The first type of floodwater on our list is clean water. As the name suggests, this type of floodwater is free form unhealthy pollutants, and therefore, it isn’t dangerous to our health. Some of the common sources of clean water are faulty appliances, rainwater, thawed snow and overflowing toilet water tanks. This type of flood water is safe for you to clean. However, your biggest weapon against this type of floodwater is time. Try to clean it up as quickly as possible. If clean water is left to stay, it can cause water damage, which can further lead to mold growth.
Floodwater Type # 2: Greywater
Up until now, we have talked about clean water and how it is potentially harmless. Next on our list is greywater, which is also referred to as sullage. Despite being contaminated, greywater doesn’t contain any fecal matter. Some of the common household sources of greywater include washing machines, dishwashers, showers, bathtubs and sinks. Unlike blackwater, which we will discuss later, greywater has fewer pathogens. However, it has some mild pollutants, which can surely make you sick in case they are ingested.
Greywater flooding can take place due to a calamity like a thunderstorm or a faulty appliance and fixture. Although safer than blackwater, greywater can ruin your carpeting, drywall and other house materials. If you are faced with greywater flooding, you should make sure your kids and pets are moved to a safer location. If visiting the flooded area is inevitable, make sure you wear gloves, masks and protective glasses. For this water damage, it is better to assign the cleanup to a professional water damage restoration company in Downers Grove, IL.
Floodwater Type # 3: Black Water
The last and most dangerous type of floodwater is blackwater. As the name suggests, blackwater is extremely detrimental to your health. It contains human waste and pathogens, which are infectious in nature. The worst thing about blackwater is that it contains human waste that comes from toilets and plumbing. In some cases, it also contains harmful chemicals, alongside pathogens. When carpets, curtains and furniture come into contact with blackwater, they remain unsalvageable, and should be thrown away immediately. Never make the mistake of cleaning blackwater yourself, and always seek the services of a professional water damage restoration company in Downer’s Grove, IL.
