Classifications and Types of Water Damage That Can Happen in Your Home or Business

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

There are 3 water categories

We’re going to explain the basics of water damage and how that damage can affect your home or business  and your health. Water damage is the number one offender when it comes to property damage and water restoration needs.

This may actually surprise people, because when someone hears “water damage,” they usually imagine damage from a flood, storm surge or a natural disaster. And, yes it’s true that these types of events do occur, there are most definitely more common ways that water can damage your home or business, and these include:

• Appliance leaks from your refrigerator, washing machine, ice machine, etc.
• Baths, shower and sink overflows or even those that are left running without attendance
• Toilets overflowing
• Broken/leaky water pipes behind the walls and ceilings
• Roof leaks and compromised exterior
• Drainage issues around the property
• Damage from rain, wind and storms

Water damage can come from both external and internal sources. Next, it’s important for you to know what kind of water you are dealing with if and when it gets into your home. What do we mean by, what kind of water?

Water Classifications in 3 Different Categories

We recognize water in THREE different categories:

CATEGORY 1 – 

“Clean Water,” this means the water originated from a sanitary source and generally will not pose a risk to our health.

CATEGORY 2  –

“Grey Water,” this means the water contains some contamination and is not sanitary enough for human consumption and that poses a health risk if ingested.

CATEGORY 3 –

“Black Water,” is the type of water that is completely contaminated and could contain disease-causing organisms, and other harmful materials.

Each of these categories are different, and each comes with their own do's and don'ts on how someone should handle them. Restoration professionals like SERVPRO of Roanoke Rapids have advanced training and expertise in these types of water damage. We also have a large amount of hands-on experience and know how to handle any water damage emergency.