Are you searching for a water damage repair company in Charlotte, NC?
One of the first things to consider when doing a water restoration project is taking a moment to categorize the water. You can see in the picture in this article that this house has been completely flooded and the home has surely suffered extensive damages. To begin the process of restoration, and getting any home back to its pre-flood condition, we first need to pause for a quick second and assess the water.
When it comes to standing or still water, the water gets classified into 3 different categories in order to help determine the level of sanitation and toxicity in comparison to other examples of standing water. Categorizing water is important for safety reasons, as well as determining how to proceed with the clean up process. Each category measures the amount of contamination in the water, the source from which the water entered, and the materials it came into contact with. Here is an abbreviated example of each type of water damage category.
Category 1 – The water comes from a source that is considered sanitary and not toxic. Some good examples would be supply lines to sinks and ice makers. However, this sanitary water may quickly turn unsanitary when it comes into contact with other materials, thus changing the category and potentially becoming unsafe. An example of this could be under a sink that is not cleaned often or has been used to store cleaning supplies. People are often not aware of certain sanitary issues that can be potentially harmful.
Category 2 – The water contains a significant amount of chemical or toxic contamination. This contamination can be both organic and inorganic, and is potentially harmful to humans and can cause illness. Examples include overflow from washing machines and dishwashers. It is our job to be informed on which category your clean up falls into, in order to prevent sickness and keep your family, residents and/or employees safe.
Category 3 – The water is grossly contaminated and can contain pathogens. This type of water is harmful and all precautions should be taken. Examples would be sewage, flooding that occurs from rising ground water, and toilet overflows from beyond the trap. Personal Protective Equipment is required to clean this type of water loss to prevent possible health effects.
For a home or business owner, it is important to know the source of the water, as well as take into consideration the materials and surfaces the water has contacted. The amount of time after the damage occurred and the temperature of the water affect the level of contamination too. Knowing “its not just water” can help avoid potential health risks.
