Water Categories & Why they're so Important

8/4/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know that the water in your home  due to busted pipes or leaks belongs to a “category”? When it comes to handling mitigation in your home, it is better to allow the professionals at SERVPRO of Tacoma to handle the emergency. Each category of water is unique in the way it can affect your home and in the way that it needs to be taken care of.

The information below breaks down the main categories of water and how to quickly identify if water is found in your home. 

Category One: Clear Water

Clear water is the cleanest, most non-toxic form of water damage. It is potable water, perhaps directly from the tap. It is unlikely to cause you any harm, even if you are exposed for some time. Nevertheless, even clean flooding can lead to electrical and structural faults, so it is safer for you to call in the experts for repairs. Clean water comes from things like a broken water supply line, tub or sinks overflow with no contaminants, appliance malfunctions involving water-supply lines to name a few. However, once clean water leaves the exit point, it might not remain clean after contacting other surfaces or materials. Although it is considered the "safest" of the categories, it can degrade to category 2 or 3 if left untreated.

Category Two: Gray Water 

Gray water damage is a little bit more serious and requires a speedier removal process. This is because it may contain potentially unsafe levels of chemicals, microorganisms, or dirt. Examples of Category 2 water include, but are not limited to; overflow from dishwashers or washing machines; overflows from toilet bowls with urine; seepage due to hydrostatic pressure and broken aquariums.
If left untreated, it can quickly degrade into category 3.

Category Three: Black Water

Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Cat 3 water can include, but are not limited to: sewage; toilet backflows from beyond the trap; flooding from seawater, rivers or streams, ground surface water, or other contaminated water entering the indoor environment.

The team at SERVPRO of Tacoma is skilled in the safe handling of the different categories through training and protective clothing to eliminate the risk of sickness. 253.896.3000