24/7 Emergency ServiceWater Damage and the Types Of Pollution It Causes
7/12/2018 (Permalink)
Water Damage and the Types of Pollution It Causes | SERVPRO® of Piscataway
If you’re familiar with water damage, you’re likely familiar with terms like “black water” and “clear water” to describe the water pollutant levels left behind. Though the implication is that clear water is less hazardous than black water, the reality is that there are three types and they can all cause their own kinds of damage to your home or office.
Because we know the devastation that comes along with water damage, we’ve outlined the three types of water contamination you might come across and what these terms mean.
Category 1: The first classification, “clear water,” refers to water that has originated from a clear source and is free from contaminants. Water from broken inbound pipes, water supply lines, leaky faucets or direct rainwater would fall into this category. It is not recommended, but category 1 water should not be harmful if consumed.
Category 2: Grey water, the next category, is a bit more serious. This refers to wastewater generated from appliances, drain overflows or other types of typical household flooding. Because this water has come into contact with many surfaces, category 2 water is contaminated and will cause illness if consumed.
Category 3: The most notorious of the categories, category 3 water is commonly known as black water. Sewage overflows, rising flood waters or water that has remained stagnant and has begun breeding bacteria are all cause for concern and can cause illness or death if consumed.
The nuances of water damage can become even more complicated after the initial flooding because water that starts as one category can easily advance to another. Water that develops higher pollution levels from coming into contact with surfaces or breeding bacteria can become even more dangerous as time goes on.
Because this is impossible to determine from appearance alone, professional cleanup is essential to obtaining peace of mind and a properly restored property.
If you’ve suffered from water damage in your home or office, SERVPRO®’s team of water restoration professionals is here to help!