Researchers at Northern Arizona University indicate that damage caused by category 3 water is defined as “extremely unhealthy water that contains pathogens, that comes from wastewater or other sources of contaminated water, and that is likely to cause discomfort or illness if consumed or exposed to humans.” Damage caused by category 3 water is considered to be seriously contaminated. It can also be referred to as “black water”. According to Northern Arizona University, damage caused by category 1 water is defined as “water that comes from a source that does not represent substantial harm to human beings.”Category 1 water is also called “clean water”. Damage caused by category 1 water describes damage that comes from a clean water source where the water does not pose a significant health hazard.
Examples of category 1 water losses include a broken supply pipe, rainwater, or an overflow of a transparent bathtub. Damage caused by category 2 water describes water that is visibly contaminated and could cause illness if ingested or comes into contact with it. Category 2 water often serves as a breeding ground for bacteria that are likely to contain dangerous organic and inorganic matter. Category 2 water loss is possible when washing machines drain, when toilets overflow, or when aquariums break down.
Damage caused by category 3 water refers to water that contains hazardous materials, from pathogens to toxic agents. Any contact with category 3 water is potentially harmful. Examples include wastewater, seawater floods, septic tanks, or any contaminated surface groundwater. Category 1 water is what we consider to be “clean” and comes from sanitary sources such as kitchen faucets or toilet tanks. Although it presents little initial risk, if not treated in time, it can escalate to category 2, complicating the restoration process.
Category 2, or “greywater”, introduces a higher level of complexity. This water, contaminated with contaminants from sources such as dishwashers and washing machines, can cause discomfort or even illness if not handled properly. Immediate and thorough cleaning is essential to mitigate health risks. Sewage is the most serious and contains harmful pollutants from wastewater, floods, or other unhealthy sources.
It can contain things you wouldn't even want to think about, fecal matter, chemicals, whatever. Situations of loss of clean water involve minimal health risks, primarily with water from clean sources, such as supply lines or appliances. With appropriate and timely drying techniques, most of the affected materials can be recovered, preserving the integrity of the property. Greywater contains pollutants that require immediate attention and can prevent health problems.
They come from sources such as dishwashers or washing machines and may contain substances that require deep cleaning of the affected materials. Repairing damage caused by class 2 water can cost more than class 1 because the affected area is larger. It can also be harder to clean. Class 1 is often the easiest to handle because it only covers a small area.
Usually, the damage that occurs here is minimal and the affected objects have only absorbed a small amount of water. The cost of repairs is also inexpensive, making a Class 1 water loss the best-case scenario. SERVPRO is equipped to manage large and small losses due to water damage. Whether you experience class 1 or class 4 water loss or are not sure what class or category has affected you, contact your local SERVPRO. While you wait for help to arrive, follow these emergency tips for water damage.
Discovering water damage to your home can be stressful, but sometimes it's not as serious as it sounds. It's true that all water damage requires repair, but some cases are slightly less serious and require less work to repair. When water damage is neglected or not properly addressed, it can cause irreversible damage to the structure of the house, so you should hire a water damage repair company as soon as you find any evidence of water damage. It's also important to understand that there are different classes and categories of water damage, each of which varies in severity. For more information on the categories and classifications of water damage and how to identify and address them, read on.
The categories of water damage are primarily defined by the type of water that caused the damage. The higher the category, the less healthy the water will be. If you know the source of the flood, report it to the personnel responsible for water damage. It will help them identify the category of water damage they have, so they can proceed with best practices. Damage caused by category 1 water refers to damage caused by water from a sanitary source.
Floods caused by broken water supply lines, a toilet tank, a faulty faucet, or a water heater, for example, fall into this category. While damage caused by category 1 water is the cleanest, it can quickly turn into a category 2 or 3 situation if left untreated for a long period of time or if it comes into contact with any type of contaminant. To prevent damage caused by category 1 water from increasing in severity, it must always be solved as soon as possible. In fact, this is a general rule for any type of water damage.
If your home has recently experienced water damage or a water-related disaster, determining water loss classes is an important step in starting to repair water damage. Regardless of the level of contamination or water category, SERVPRO restoration professionals are prepared to deal with all types of water damage to your home, business or other property. Category 1 is the least serious on the IICRC scale and includes water damage, such as broken pipes and water supply lines, sinks and bathtubs that have overflowed, and various problems with household appliances. A category 1 water loss is when the water comes from a sanitary water source and does not pose a substantial risk if ingested or inhaled.
Whether it's a small leak or a total flood, water damage can be serious and cause great damage to property. Damage caused by Class 4 water means that wet materials with lower permeability, such as hardwood, plaster and concrete, have deep pockets of saturation. While consuming or coming into contact with greywater may or may not be harmful to humans, it is important to remove all affected objects and completely disinfect them if your home has been damaged by category 2 water, as waste and chemicals in greywater can be harmful to the future. When analyzing water damage and the cleaning process, it's important to understand the three categories of water damage that insurance companies consider.
Water loss classes refer to the amount of water and the expected evaporation rate based on the amount and type of wet materials in your home. Water restoration is not only about repairing visible damage, but also about safeguarding the health and integrity of a property and its occupants. Identifying water loss classes allows restoration professionals to formulate a plan based on the specific needs of their home.
