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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

How To Identify the Categories of Water Damage

10/31/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in a day care facility

It Is Important To Understand The Water Damage Categories

If your business in Prairie Village, KS, has a plumbing issue such as a pipe burst or supply line leakage, the first step in the restoration process is to understand if water damage has been done, and what the severity of it is. A water damage restoration company will come and assess the damage, usually classifying it as category 1, 2 or 3.
These categories are based on the level of contamination of the water. It is important to understand and be able to identify the water damage categories so that you can understand how to proceed with the restoration process.

Category 1
Category 1 water damage is the least severe of the three types. It refers to clean water, which is water that does not contain any contaminants. You may have category 1 water damage if your business has:

  • Malfunctioning appliances
  • Broken toilets
  • Melting ice or snow
  • Overflowing sinks

If you have category 1 water damage, the clean-up process is still important. Be sure to do it promptly to prevent any lasting water damage.

Category 2
Category 2 is gray water, which means it is mixed with chemicals or may have other contaminants. You may have category 2 water damage if you have a broken dishwasher or washing machine, fire protection sprinkler malfunction or an overflowing toilet with urine.
Gray water can also be a result of clean water, such as from a broken pipe, that has been left out too long or come into contact with building materials. It is imperative to start the mitigation process promptly to avoid lasting damage.

Category 3
Category 3, or black water, is the most severe category of water damage because it can contain bacteria and viruses. If you have water damage related to water mixed with sewage, rising seawater or rising flood waters, you may have category 3 water damage. It requires immediate action from a water restoration company.
It's important to be able to identify the three categories of water damage in order to understand the next step in your water restoration process for your business. Whether you're dealing with clean water or black water, acting quickly can prevent lasting damage.

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