Understanding the Categories of Water Damage in Your Hyannis Home

2/5/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage may look "clean" but may not actually be clean. Only the source will tell.

Just like any other mess, some water related incidents are larger than others. However, it’s not just the size of a water incident that determines how dire the situation is. Water incidents are broken up into three categories of severity. As a home or business owner, it’s important to be aware of these categories so swift and careful action can be taken to restore the property to its pre loss condition.

What kind of water damage emergency are you dealing with?

• Category 1: “Clean Water”. When a clean water supply line (such as a faucet, etc.) breaks or leaks, it is considered a category 1 water emergency. Depending on variables such as temperature and contact with contaminants, a category 1 situation can escalate to a category 2 or 3.

• Category 2: “Gray Water”. When flood water crosses the line into being contaminated and hazardous for human ingestion, it is considered category 2. This could include water from a washer machine, dishwater, etc. However, category 2 isn’t severe enough to include water infested with feces or harmful chemicals. If a category 2 flood is left untreated for long enough, it can develop into a category 3 situation.

• Category 3: “Black Water”. Flood waters that are considered, “grossly unsanitary” fall into category 3. This includes, but is not limited to, water that has started microbial growth, water with feces or natural flood waters from a river/stream. All contact with black water should be avoided and needs professional mitigation. If ingested, black water may cause serious adverse health effects.

If you find yourself in a water damage emergency and you are not sure how severe the damage is or can become, call our Team of professionals.  We are available 24/7/365 for all water emergencies, large or small.  We will help you identify the severity of the water damage and begin the mitigation process as quickly as possible.  SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod is here to help! Call us at 508-778-7378