Different Classifications & Types of Water Damage

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Atlanta is here to help and can make water damage "Like it never even happened." Call us today at 404-505-1760

Dealing with water damage can be such a stressful situation. Not knowing how to handle or who to call is a common issue when water losses happen to both new homeowners and people who have owned homes for many years. Understanding what kind of water damage occurred can help determine what kind of water damage service you need. Acting quickly to mitigate the damage is crucial, which is why it’s important for all homeowners to know the common causes of household water damage and to know when it’s time to call in reputable water restoration professionals like your friends at SERVPRO of South Atlanta.

Water damage can occur due to internal incidents such as pipe leaks, appliance malfunctions, or leaks stemming from water fixtures and drains like those found in sinks, toilets, showers and tubs. Water damage can also occur when external incidents happen such as sewage backups, roof leaks, flooding or storm damage like when a tree falls through the roof or when high winds force water intrusion along windows and doors. No matter what causes the water damage in your home SERVPRO of South Atlanta is here to help. We specialize in both types of water intrusion events and have trained professional standing by 24-hour a day seven days a week to help make your water damage event “Like it never even happened.”

Classification of Contaminated Water   

Category One (CAT1) is sometimes considered the least harmful class of water damage. Thought of as clean water, or water that doesn’t pose health concerns or threats to humans. This damage affects only part of a room, with materials that include particle board, plywood, structural wood, vinyl composition tile, and concrete. Often caused by broken or leaking appliances or sinks.

Category Two (CAT2) is often referred to as greywater and may cause sickness if ingested due to microorganisms. Has a fast rate of spread. This faster rate means that carpets and textiles are affected quickly. The seepage of water up a wall is less than 24 inches, and moisture is held within structural materials. Often caused by broken toilets, malfunctioning sump pumps, and clogged or leaking HVAC drainage lines.

Category Three (CAT3) is commonly known as “blackwater” and is unsanitary due to bacteria and other organisms that can cause sickness and other health issues. Has the fastest rate of evaporation. Damage may come from faulty sprinklers or other ceiling sources that can soak the walls, furniture, carpets, ceilings and the subfloor. A wide-spread water event.

SERVPRO of South Atlanta’s team of loss coordinators that field customer phone calls are well trained and well versed in dealing with water restoration claims. They will ask pertinent questions about your specific water loss so that they can dispatch our water highly trained water restoration technicians along with the proper equipment to your home or business quickly and safely. When communicating the nature and extent of the incident you’ve experienced, you need to specify the source of the problem, the affected area (including the type of structure and building materials affected) and the urgency of which you feel you require service. Here are some tips to help prevent your home from flooding, avoiding secondary or additional major damage and could save you thousands of dollars:

Water Damage From Clean Water

While waiting on help to arrive, DON’T:

• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers, or electrical equipment are exposed to water and can not be safely powered off.
• Enter rooms where ceilings are sagging and retaining water.
• Attempt to operate equipment exposed to water.

While waiting for help to arrive, DO’S:

• Shut off the source of the water, if possible, or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
• Shut down power to the affected areas where access to the power distribution systems is safe from electrical shock.
• Instruct people to avoid/limit access to wet areas to prevent the tracking of water and the risk of slips and falls.
• Place any available wet floor signage you have to prevent people from entering affected areas if possible.
• Identify high-value paintings, furniture, office equipment, etc. and report them to your SERVPRO of South Atlanta restoration professional as quickly as possible.
• Identify critical or important work areas, and prioritize where you would like cleanup to begin.
• Identify any critical or important documents that were damaged, and inform the SERVPRO of South Atlanta restoration professionals.
• Ensure all electronics such as computers, printers, and toner cartridges are off of the floor and not sitting in water.
• Wipe moisture from wood furniture surfaces, mop wet floors, etc.

Water Damage From Contaminated Water

While waiting on help to arrive, DON’T:

• Attempt to dry out or place air moving equipment on contaminated surfaces.
• Attempt to use household or industrial cleaning agents to decontaminate surfaces.
• Allow foot traffic in contaminated areas.
• Remove contaminated items from the building.

While waiting for help to arrive, DO’S:

• Wash hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items.
• If exposed to harmful waste, OSHA recommends a post-exposure medical evaluation. *consult your local health department or physician
• Avoid contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage.
• Consider shutting down air handlers to the affected areas of the building to prevent spread of odors and contamination.
• Place barriers to prevent access to contaminated areas of the building.

If you ever need water damage restoration contact SERVPRO of South Atlanta. Acting quickly to mitigate water damage is crucial which is why it’s important for all households or businesses to know the common causes of water damage. SERVPRO of South Atlanta’s staff is well trained, punctual, and always has our customers best interest at heart. We understand that water damaged flooring can be a time sensitive situation and are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We also offer professional residential cleaning, commercial cleaning, storm damage cleanup, and many other disaster related restoration services. Please don’t hesitate to contact us today. SERVPRO of South Atlanta is faster to any sized disaster and can get the job done right the first time. 

Check out some awesome Before & After Photos from past Water Restoration Projects: “SERVPRO of South Atlanta Restores Water Damaged in Kitchen Caused by Dishwasher Leak”; “SERVPRO of South Atlanta Can Help You Recover After Storm Damage”; “Drying Office Space and Cubicles After Fire Sprinkler System Malfunction”; “Office Space Cubicles Flooded During Sprinkler Malfunction”; “How SERVPRO Saves Hardwood Floors in Atlanta, GA”; “SERVPRO Injectidry System Drying out Hardwood Floors”