24/7 Emergency Service
Categories of Water Damage
1/18/2022 (Permalink)
Our crew can be seen here getting ready to pump out Category 3 water from a flooded building.
Restoration professionals classify water damage into three categories. The category corresponds to the degree of contamination. Category One water damage has the least contamination and requires the simplest cleanup process, even though damage from a pipe break can be extensive. Areas exposed to contaminated water must be disinfected.
Category One
Category One water is not contaminated. This water originates from a supply line and has several distinctive qualities:
- Clean
- Treated
- May burst or spray
This category of water damage may involve large amounts of clean water. It is important to shut off the water supply and contact a plumber as soon as possible. Gather water and take immediate action to remove all standing water, as Category One water can degrade into contaminated water in as little as 48 hours.
Category Two
Category Two water is sometimes referred to as gray water. This category includes water from appliances, baths, or showers. This water may contain chemicals or microbes, but does not contain solid waste. It is still necessary to disinfect areas exposed to Category Two water.
Category Three
Category Three water is also known as black water. This water is highly contaminated and either contains solid waste or originates from outdoor flooding. There are a few common causes of incidents involving this category of water:
- Sewer backups
- Flooded toilets
- Heavy rain
- Rising bodies of water
SERVPRO of Vero Beach
772-770-0501