Water Damage Categories | Panama City

Posted by Daystar Cleaning & Restoration on August 1st, 2019

Water damage issues may be caused by broken pipes, blocked or damaged drains, worn out appliances, storms, fire damage, and from many other sources inside and outside of your Panama City home. The appropriate cleanup treatment depends on the nature of the water damage. Some water carries contaminants and should be considered dangerous, so you really don’t want to start cleaning up this type of damage on your own without the proper gear. Whatever the origin, the prospects for restoration depend largely on the speed with which your home and personal property can be dried. Even clean water can generate mildew and other bacterial growth if neglected.

Did you know that water damage disasters can be categorized by the type of water that is involved?

There are three water damage categories to consider when dealing with water damage.

CATEGORY 1: CLEAR WATER

Clear water is the safest category to clean up and does not pose an immediate health risk. Clear water typically comes from clean water sources such as a malfunctioning appliance, faucets, cracked clean water lines. When dealing with clear water, it is important to react quickly, even clean water can cause a lot of damage if left to long.

CATEGORY 2: GREY WATER

Gray water refers to water that is not contaminated by fecal matter, but is not clean and clear. Gray water typically includes water from washing machines, showers, and bathtubs, dishwashers, and sinks. This type of water damage contains fewer pathogens than a category 3 wastewater and can induce illness if ingested. Gray water can turn to black water if left unattended too long, causing serious health hazards for your family.

CATEGORY 3: BLACK WATER

Black water refers to wastewater that has been contaminated with fecal matter. Black water typically comes from, clogged plumbing systems, clogged toilets and external sewage systems, this includes raw sewage. Sadly, this colored water is the most dangerous type of water damage you will experience. It contains dangerous bacteria, pathogens and, potentially, dangerous chemicals. Because of the unsanitary conditions of this category of water, absorbent and porous items such as carpets, furniture, drywall, and clothing are often damaged beyond repair. When dealing with black water you must take the necessary safety precautions to avoid health risks and serious illnesses. When dealing with black water, it is extremely important to have the proper (PPE) personal protective equipment before entering contaminated areas.

Whether your water damage comes from a flood, damaged plumbing or a roof failure, you need expert help to clean up the damage and restore your home. You need a professional restoration team like Daystar Cleaning in Panama City to:

• Pump out any remaining water.
• Remove dangerous and damaged material.
• Dry and clean ceilings, walls, floors, and carpets with professional drying equipment, after the damaged material is removed.
• Rebuild any damaged structures.