All Water Damage isn't Created Equally
By now, you may know that water damage can take many different shapes and forms. It can happen one drip at a time and be virtually invisible for years, or it can come on in one catastrophic event like a burst pipe, or a flood event.
Water damage repair is a complex process. There are many steps that need to be considered when assessing the severity of water damage and the repair options available to you. In addition to assessing what materials have been damaged by the water, there are other primary factors that go into deciding the method of repair or replacement as well as the extent of the damage.
The water damage is classified into three major categories. The categories are broken down by: White Water, Grey Water and Black Water.
White Water: White water damage is water that does not pose a substantial health concern. The most common instances of white water damage are caused by overflowing sinks, leaking appliances, or burst pipes. This is also the easiest category of water to fix, but should still be done in a timely manner as all water damage is serious, and can cause significant damage if left ignored.
Grey Water: Grey water is classified as water that comes from a source that may cause sickness when exposed to or consumed. This may be water from a toilet bowl, or other sources that have been exposed to relatively mild chemicals or toxins. Grey water should be treated with caution, and needs to be handled quickly and safely by a professional.
Black Water: The third and most serious type of water source is black water. While not necessarily black in color, black water is water that is completely unsanitary. Generally water from any type of flooding, be it river/rain water, or seawater is classified as black water and contains harmful bacteria.
The speed at which one addresses the water damage can also play a very big factor. In fact, grey water that is left untreated for over 48 hours is often reclassified as black water due to the growing health concerns from stagnant unsanitary water.
In addition to the categories of the water source, there is also a system four different classes (aptly named classes, I, II, III, and IV) given to the damage, which is based upon the rate of evaporation of the water from the damaged area.
With all types of damage, though especially black and grey water, it is imperative to have the water damage repair done professionally and quickly by experts in the field. Water damage can weaken beams, rot wood, rust pipes, cause illness, and ruin your quality of life. Don't let that happen to you. As soon as you see the first sign of water damage, call us to get an absolutely on site free water damage repair assessment. Restoration 9-1-1 specializes in water damage repair. We have years of experience in the field and we are available 24/7 so you will be sure to get an immediate response. Call us today and let us help you with your water damage repair issues.
