Types of Water Damage and Their Effects

When dealing with water damage in your home or business, it is important to know what kind of water you are dealing with. Then you will know if it is something you want to take on yourself or if it should be referred to a professional.

Basically, there are three types of water:

Clean - self explanatory, this is water that is clean at the source and contains to contaminants or other harmful materials. This may be from overflowing tubs or sinks, water supply lines, or appliance malfunctions. This water is safe to work with, although it should be noted that clean water may in fact become contaminated if left standing for too long, or if it comes into contact with contaminated materials.

Grey - this is water that may contain some harmful elements. If ingested by humans or animals, it could cause some health problems. This could come from toilet bowls with urine, sump pump failures, or water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.

Black - if you haven't already guessed, this is the yucky stuff....water that is highly contaminated at the source, containing sewage, bacteria, chemicals, or fungi that can be harmful, even fatal, if ingested by humans. Black water should be solely treated by a qualified water restoration professional.

Restoration methods vary depending on the type of water involved, as well as the extent of the damage. Most homeowners may be able to handle smaller spills involving clean water; however any spill that may contain contaminants is best left to a professional.

Your local IICRC certified water damage restoration company provides a full range of services designed to handle all aspects of your water damage needs.