3 Categories of Black Water Spills

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

Severe storm damage in Overland Park, KS.

Flood damage is a messy situation that threatens the employee’s health and the company’s finances. Its severity is measured by the level of contamination, with a black water flood being the worst-case scenario.

Here Are The 3 Categories of Black Water:

Level 1 – a tiny spillover
Level 2 – a considerable toilet overflow
Level 3 – flood water mixed with sewage

Level 1
Level 1 contamination happens when a toilet overflows, and the wastewater doesn’t leave the bathroom. That means there is zero contact with porous things such as cabinets, wooden floors and drywall. Usually, this kind of overflow is easy to fix, which means the wastewater gets a limited time of exposure. A good cleanup company should be able to troubleshoot and solve the issue in no time.

Level 2
Sometimes, you might not be so lucky. The toilet overflow may break out of the bathroom and contaminate your carpets, upholstery and other porous items. That creates a problematic situation as you have to remove everything for individual attention. Any permeable items that get into contact with this wastewater should be disposed of immediately.

Level 3
Level 3 represents black water damage that comes from the outside and flows into the building. It could be a leaking sewer that mixes with floodwater from an overflowing river that finds its way into the business premises. This wastewater gets into everything, including walls, furniture, and electronics, rendering them useless. On top of that, there could also be storm damage on the exterior walls.
Generally speaking, you should consider all flood water to be level 3 as it usually drags all sorts of harmful chemicals, dirt, and debris from the outside. It is also worth noting that DIYing this type of situation is the worst mistake you can make as a business owner. You might want to find a reliable cleanup company in Overland Park, KS to handle it.