Knowing which category of water damage you are experiencing can help you better understand the risks to your health and property. Determining the type of water helps us formulate a proper plan based on the specific needs of your property. Our technicians will assess the damage once on scene and determine the category.
Category 1 (Clean Water) is the easiest to manage and is considered clean or sanitary water. This water can come from water supply lines, toilet tanks, melting ice, rain etc. This is water that does not pose a substantial risk to your health. Even though this water is considered clean, it must be completely removed and dried otherwise this could lead to mold damage.
Category 2 (Gray Water) may contain contaminants that can cause illness, infection or adverse health reactions. This is water that is no longer “clean”. Some sources can include water from sink or shower drains, dishwashers, sump pumps or washing machines.
Category 3 (Black Water) is the worst type of water to damage your property. This water can be extremely toxic if ingested and it is dangerous to come into physical contact with. This category of water damage includes sewage leaks, water from toilet overflow, flood water from outside, waste water from beyond the trap in your plumbing system, etc. Category 3 requires the most extensive cleaning, decontaminating and sanitization. Many contaminated items will need to be removed and the rest thoroughly cleaned and restored.