Water damage is a significant source of property damage and may cause significant disruption to homes and businesses. Understanding what it is, how to identify it, and the different categories of water damage is important for homeowners and managers to be able to protect their property.
First of All, What May Be Considered a Water Damage?
It’s not often talked about, but water damage is a regular problem. Attorneys at Arguello Hope & Associates, PLLC, report that 40% of homeowners have suffered financial losses due to this problem. On the other hand, the same source stated that it could be avoided 90% of the time.
That said, what actually qualifies as water damage? To put it simply, this issue is defined as the process by which water may cause damage to your home’s interior.
Some of its possible causes may include:
- Rain that seeps into your home and causes structural damage
- Hailstorm severe enough to crack windows and soak your floors
- A leaking pipe that floods your ceiling
- The toilet overflows, flooding the bathroom floor
If you have this type of damage in your house, you are probably wondering if your homeowner’s insurance policy will compensate for it. Consider giving your policy a read-over to make sure it covers your unique needs. In most cases, unforeseen events are usually covered. However, damage that results from subpar repairs is typically not compensated for.
What Are The Main Categories Of Water Damage?
In terms of the extent of the destruction, not all water damage is the same. That said, there are three distinct categories to be aware of:
Category 1
The least severe level of damage is Category 1. It’s called “clean” since it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals or raw sewage. For humans, it is completely harmless.
Category 1 flooding may be caused by various factors, including burst supply lines and pipes and clogged or overflowing bathtubs and sinks. Assorted dishwasher, washing machine, and other home appliance malfunctions and leaks can also contribute to this problem.
Category 1 damage often only affects things that can be easily dried out and have no lasting effects on a homeowner’s health or property.
Category 2
The severity of water damage in Category 2, sometimes known as “gray,” is far higher than that of Category 1. Included are sources of contaminated water such as:
- Backup sump pumps
- Restrooms
- Washing machines
The dangers to human health in this category are greater than in Category 2, although they are still far lower than in Category 3.
A Category 2 liquid that has been contaminated typically has high concentrations of bacteria, chemicals, or mold.
If your home has been damaged to this extent, the restoration specialist working on it will need to protect themselves with special gear.
Category 3
Category 3 flood damage is the worst possible scenario. It’s called “black” contamination and may have devastating effects on people’s health.
It’s extremely dirty and full of poisons and pathogens that could make you sick. Category 3 liquids typically originate from sewage backflow or a broken toilet bowl holding human waste.
This group includes rising floodwaters tainted with animal waste, lawn fertilizers, and various forms of tetanus and other infections.
Conclusion
Water damage can come from a variety of sources, and the severity can vary greatly. It is important to be able to identify the type of water damage in order to properly address the issue.
There are three main categories of water damage: clean water, gray water, and black water. Clean water damage is the least severe, and black water is the most severe. Each category has its own unique set of problems and solutions.
Be sure to call a professional immediately at the first sign of trouble, especially when you’re facing category 3 water damage.
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