Understanding Different Water Types

4/30/2019 (Permalink)

When your home or business suffers from a water damage, it is important to understand the type of water present to ensure proper clean-up. This is because there are 3 types, or categories, of water, each having its own safety distinction. Water is considered “clean”, or a category 1, when it comes from a broken pipe or rain. If you suffer a water damage from clean water, make sure to do the following things until help arrives:

• Shut off your home or business water source, if possible.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas. However, only do this if it is safe, and do not enter rooms with standing water to avoid electric shock.
• Once safe, try to clean up as much water as possible from floors and wipe down wood furniture.

Another water type is “gray water”, or category 2. Clean water can become gray water when it is left untreated, allowing bacteria and other contaminates to grow freely. This type of water is considered contaminated and hazardous. The 3^rd water type is “black water”, or category 3, which is highly contaminated and filled with bacteria, fungi, chemicals, and more. This type of water is typically caused by sewage back up, flooding, or other types of natural disaster. Black water should be avoided and only handled by trained professionals. If you suffer a water damage from contaminated water, category 2 or 3, do the following things until help arrives:

• Avoid making contact with gray or black water. Make sure to wash hands thoroughly after coming into contact with contaminated items.
• Do not walk through areas contaminated by gray or black water, as you may spread damage to other unaffected areas.
• Do not turn on HVAC system to avoid spreading contaminated air.
• Do not use household fans to dry contaminated water damage.
• Do not keep any food that comes into contact with contaminated water.

For more information about water types, please contact your SERVPRO of Davenport/Bettendorf water damage professionals at 563-386-3540.