Our relationship with water is pretty straightforward in the gorgeous, natural parts of our nation. We fish on lakes, sit by the ocean, or hike beside charming springs. But when powerful storms or burst pipes deposit water where it shouldn’t be, our homes and businesses can’t always survive the damage. In most respects, water is the nemesis of buildings throughout Tennessee.
But water damage comes in many forms—mild and easily cleaned, others toxic and requiring expert water damage restoration. Worst still, in recent years, flooding has been more common worldwide than at any point in recent memory. For many of us, it’s not a question of if but when water damage strikes.
To understand the risks of water damage in your residential or commercial property, we’ve compiled this helpful guide about categories one, two, and three of water damage and what each means to your recovery.
Categories of Water Damage Explained - An ASDT Guide
As Tennessee’s leading water damage restoration company, Advanced Structural Drying Technologies (ASDT) understands the rigors of cleaning up. With the latest dehumidification technology and thermal imaging capabilities, we can assess the damage and recommend a plan of action ASAP.
If you’ve experienced water damage in your home, business, multi-family property, or hospital, call us today at 615-632-6630 or contact us online.
Clean, Gray, & Black Water Explained
Those of us on municipal sewer lines know that water treatment is vital to city life. While that water is generally clean and safe when reaching you, it doesn’t stay that way long. Depending on how you use municipal water, what pipes it flows through to reach you, or what pipes it flows from once you’re done with it, that water could be severely contaminated.
Naturally, the more dangerous water or flood damage is, the less able homeowners and businesses are to handle it themselves. Worse still, highly dangerous water requires extra steps to remediate before you can return to life and work as you know it.
Category 1 Clean Water
Not all water damage is catastrophic, though it can turn out that way if it’s not cleaned up quickly. Sometimes, damage results from sources of mostly clean or potable water.
In most homes or businesses, category 1 water damage can result when a burst pipe, system malfunction, or structural damage releases otherwise clean water where it shouldn’t be. This can include sources such as:
- Rainwater
- Water supply lines/pipes
- Melting snow
- Overflowing/leaky bathtubs
- Overflowing/leaky sinks
Naturally, as this water comes into contact with other surfaces, its contamination level increases. Even so, category 1 clean water is safe to contact or clean.
While it may not pose an immediate risk to your health, this type of water damage can still wreak havoc on floorboards, electrical systems, drywall, carpets, and other fixtures in residential and commercial structures.
Category 2 Gray Water
Each and every day, we use clean water to accomplish a dirty job. In the process, what started off as mostly clean or potable water becomes contaminated enough to pose a slight risk to our health. When this water winds up in your home or business, you need expert guidance and a prompt response.
Category 2 gray water can result from numerous sources, including:
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
- Sump pumps
- Overflowing toilets (when mostly clean)
- Hydrostatic pressure seepage
- Aquariums
- Water beds
While mostly clean to the naked eye, category 2 water damage contains microorganisms and bacteria that can negatively affect anyone with prolonged contact or exposure. Disinfection services are necessary to ensure the safety of your family, friends, and employees. Furthermore, personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended when cleaning category 2 water damage.
At ASDT, we remove standing water swiftly with powerful pumps before starting structural drying, dehumidification, and disinfection services. This comprehensive approach quickly turns dangerous homes and businesses into happy, livable spaces again.
Category 3 Black Water
Despite its name, category 3 water damage isn’t always “black” in color. It can be brown, cloudy, or just dirty in appearance. More than its color, the use of “black” here denotes the danger involved with this highly contaminated water. Because of the high level of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, standing in black water for too long can have possibly lethal consequences.
Category 3 black water frequently results from storm damage and flooding. Usual sources of this type of water damage include:
- Sewage
- Rising water from rivers & streams
- Waste line backflow
- Seawater
- Silty or dirty water driven by wind
Category 3 black water is the most dangerous kind of water damage homes and businesses in Tennessee can experience. As such, you should avoid making any contact or even remaining in the same room as this form of water damage.
Home and business owners need a knowledgeable and experienced water restoration company to handle the aftermath, even when a simple sewage backup is responsible. PPE and leading equipment are required for all sewage cleanup jobs.
ASDT Handles All Categories of Water Damage in Tennessee
Throughout the rolling Appalachian hills of Tennessee, natural water sources highlight the already stunning beauty. But when water ends up on our floors, basements, or ceilings, it’s anything but wonderful to behold.
At ASDT, we use the latest equipment and expert training to address and remediate water damage of all kinds safely—categories 1 through 3. Our disinfection services restore your peace of mind while our Emergency Response Preparedness Plans (ERPPs) give you a leg up long before disaster strikes.
If you’ve been affected by water damage or are ready to put a response plan in the books, call us today at 615-632-6630 or contact us online.
