A home is one of the most, if not, the most significant investment that you will make in your life. Unfortunately, it is exposed to a variety of damage-causing occurrences. A cyclone could wipe it out or fire could burn it to the ground. However, these types of events are extremely rare. A more common incident that a homeowner can experience is that resulting from water.
Water damage can happen to your property when you are not even aware of it. For example, a slow leak in a plumbing pipe behind a wall can cause serious damage or a mold problem. You may have an immediately noticeable occurrence sometimes, such as an overflowing toilet or a burst pipe.
Water damage is generally divided into three different categories. Understanding these groups is important to make sure that you take the right steps when your home sustains water damage.
Water Damage Categories
Clean Water
Clean water or category 1 water damage comes from uncontaminated sources and does not pose any health hazard to humans due to exposure. Sources of water that lead to category 1 water damage include faucets, drinking fountains, toilet tanks, etc. This is the easiest type of damage to handle because there will not be many microbes in the water. A major issue clean water presents is that if it is not dried properly, it can lead to mold growth.
Grey Water
Grey water or category 2 water damage results from sources like washing machines, toilet overflow with urine, and dishwashers. This type of water contains contaminants that can cause illness and discomfort if ingested. If clean water is left untreated for over 24-48 hours, it can become grey water. Removing grey water without proper safety equipment is dangerous, as exposure to contaminants in this water can lead to health problems.
Black Water
Black water or category 3 water damage is the most hazardous of all three types. It is mostly a result of sewage damage or a natural disaster. This type of water may contain toxic materials such as chemicals, pesticides, bacteria, microbes, and more. In the event your home suffers category 3 water damage, do not go inside until the water has been completely dried. Black water can cause serious diseases and even death, if ingested.
No matter what type of water damage your home sustains, do not try to dry and restore it on your own. You may not be able to properly address the damage which can lead to mold growth and other problems. Call the water damage restoration professionals at STOP Restoration (S.T.O.P.) to restore your home.
We offer 24/7 emergency services in the Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. You can reach us at 844-777-STOP to set up an appointment for an estimate. If you need immediate emergency services, please call and we will arrive at your doorstep with the required equipment to complete the drying and dehumidifying process.
