Water damage is a painful and second highest cause of damage as per ISO. There are different Categories of Water Damage as per the contamination. It can cause serious and long-lasting consequences. If you know the type of water, you can better guide the restoration service provider in the process.
The following guide will describe the categories and classes of water damage. What characteristics divide them and why do homeowners and businesses know this information?
Categories of Water Damage
There are three categories of water as per contamination which are as follows:
Category 1 Water Damage
These are the damages that come from clean water. The good thing about this is, it poses minimal health issues. Such type of damage comes from different sources which are as follows.
Broken lines
It happens due to the breakage of a plumbing supply line. The water that causes the damage is clean, ultimately reducing the damage to an extent.
Faucet Leaks
Such damages are related to worn-out seals or faulty plumbing systems. The level of damage can be minimal if you detect the problem at the initial stages and start immediate repair.
Rainwater Infiltration
Once rainwater enters the building, either from the roof, windows, or cracks, it will damage the house. You need to start the repair process without delay to minimize repair costs.
To keep rainwater out of your house, you need to maintain your house regularly. You will save a lot of money if you spend a little time and money on maintenance after infiltration.
Category 2 Grey Water Damage
The damages that come from grey water are categorized as category 2. The grey water contains chemicals and bacteria which pose moderate health risks. The sources of such types of water are different including:
Toilet Overflow
It happens due to blockage or any other plumbing malfunctioning. It contains microbes and is not good for the health you need to repair the issue as soon as possible to stop the issue from occurring. You need to check the toilet regularly and replace the damaged components to avoid such problems.
Plumbing Leaks
Due to faulty connections in plumbing installation such problems occur. You need to hire professional plumbers or a firm to install and repair the water system of homes and offices to avoid such issues. The water contains microbes and other things which are not good for health.
Dishwasher Discharge
Dishwasher discharge also belongs to the category 2 type of damaged water. You can handle such an issue with a little effort.
Category 3 Black Water Damage
It contains bacteria, and viruses that can pose serious health problems. The infection probability increases in this category.
The following are the main sources of such water:
Sewage Backups
It is a worst-case scenario when wastewater from sewage lines starts moving in a backward direction. There are many reasons for backward flow including blockage, overload, or rupture in the pipeline. In such a situation, you need to call service providers without delay.
If you are unable to act fast, the level of damage is much higher than normal. It also creates a smell and bad breath in the house which is also not good for health.
Flooding
The source of flood water can be heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, snowfall, or other. When flood water enters the house the microbes and other elements that are present in the water also move in.
Standing Water
The source can be rainfall, flood water stuck in an area for a long, or water from plumbing leakage. The water contains harmful elements that can damage the home and health at the same time.
Classes of Water Damage
We can divide water damages into different classes based on absorption and evaporation rates. One can determine the extent of damages and repair procedure accordingly. There are mainly 4 classes of damage which are as follows:
Class 1 Water Damage: When the damages are only to a certain part of a room or house and with minimal water absorption, it is known as class 1. It involves concrete floors, walls, ceilings, and hardwood floors.
The absorption of water is minimal so the restoration process only requires extracting the extra water and letting it dry. No specialized restoration is needed in class 1 damages.
Class 2 Water Damage: The damage area in this class is much more than the previous one and also the severity is more. It includes carpets, walls, and flooring. The absorption of water is medium which needs to be extracted as soon as possible. To save from further damage you need to run dehumidifiers along with other gadgets to extract moisture. It takes some time to restore to a normal position.
Class 3 Water Damage: Water absorption is severe in this class. The damages cover the whole of the room. Carpets, subflooring, walls, and other things in a room can be affected. To restore the room to normal condition one needs steps without any time waste. The restoration process involves deep extraction and drying process to avoid any structural damage.
Class 4 Water Damage: In this class, things retain moisture for a longer period and the restoration process also takes longer. Things can be affected are concrete floor, walls, and flooring. A senior plumber or professional firm understands the problem better. They can save your property and cost at the same time.
Professional Water Damage Restoration
Water Damages are frustrating and need a reasonable amount of money in the restoration process. USA Water Restoration is perfect to help you with water restoration and removal in Ridgefield WA. They have modern gear which helps in determining the issue fact. You need to contact us as soon as possible so they can help you avoid further damage and start the restoration process at the same time. They are the market leader in this field.
FAQs
What is considered significant water damage?
When the restoration process takes longer time and also the cost is higher than 50% of its cost. In such a situation you need to decide either to restore a thing or change it with a new one. You can decide after consultation with your professional service provider.
How do you detect water damage?
There are many indicators, you only need a little effort to detect the issue and act accordingly to avoid further damage. Some common water damage indicators or mold, mildew, swelling, and discoloration.
Does water damage smell?
Yes, water damage has a bad smell from the affected areas such as moisture under floor. You need to find out the location from where the smell initiates. The smell mild me the result of mold growth.
What category of water is a roof leak?
It comes under category 3 water damage. Roof, ceiling, and other overhead damages are covered in this category. It requires detailed restoration process because an adequate amount of water is absorbed which needs effort and time to extract and dry.
What is the most common cause of water damage?
The most common reason is leakages and blockage in pipelines. When water is unable to move forward in the plumbing system it will increase pressure which results in leakages. Regular maintenance can avoid such kind of issues.
Fire Sprinkler Water Damage belongs to which category?
If the water is clean, the fire sprinkler belongs to category 1, where there is minimal absorption and health issues.
Conclusion
Understanding categories of water damage is important as it provides a clear guideline about the damages and restoration process, the time required, and the estimated budget. Water damage is a common problem that all homeowners face at some point in their life. To avoid one need proper maintenance and replacement of damaged equipment.