Emergency water damage in Long Beach Island not only poses a threat to your home and belongings, but also to you and your family. It is important to know the different categories of water so that you know how to stay safe from possible contamination. There are 3 categories of water based on the source and contamination level, and each requires different process and disinfecting to ensure they are properly cleaned up. Water damage should always be cleaned up and taken care of by professional water remediation technicians who are certified and trained to handle water damage effectively. In Long Beach Island, you can rely on the professionals at Stretch Cleaning.
Category 1: Clean Water
Category 1 water is also termed ‘clean water’ because it comes from a source that is considered clean and is not considered to be contaminated. Some examples of Category 1 water are water from a leaky faucet, or water from a broken supply line. To properly clean up water damage caused by Category 1 water, the water must first be completely extracted. Once all the water is removed, thorough drying can begin. Following drying and dehumidification, cleaning and disinfecting of affected property is done. Most materials exposed to Category 1 water damage can be repaired if the water is cleaned up quickly. However, if Category 1 water is not remediated correctly, it can degrade into Category 2 water.
Category 2 Water: Gray Water
Also called ‘gray water,’ Category 2 water may contain some bacteria and viruses. Sources of Category 2 water include dishwasher overflow, water from the washing machine, flooding toilet water without feces, or Category 1 water that has been allowed to sit stagnant for an extended amount of time. This type of water can pose threats to the health of those that are exposed to it. Category 2 water can cause illness upon contact, and should only be handled by trained professionals that follow safety precautions. All areas that have been exposed to this type of water must be identified and water needs to be contained to contaminated areas so it does not spread. Once the water has been safely extracted, removal and disposal of infected and damaged items must be done before drying begins. Following drying and dehumidification, thorough disinfecting and cleaning can be done. If Category 2 water is allowed to sit without being cleaned up right away, it can degrade to Category 3 water very quickly.
Category 3 Water: Black Water
Black water is grossly contaminated water and is the most dangerous category of water. Category 3 water comes from flooding streams, canals, or rivers, water from the sewer line, overflow from the toilet containing feces, and long-standing Category 1 or 2 water that has been to support the growth of microbes. Any and all contact with black water should be avoided at all costs. Black water can cause serious illness on contact and even death if ingested. Only trained emergency water damage cleanup technicians should handle black water extraction, drying, and cleanup. Every surface area that has been in contact with black water will require steam washing and commercial grade disinfecting. Most belongings and materials that have sustained damage from Category 3 water will need to be thrown out to prevent contamination from spreading. Once all the water has been removed and adequate disinfecting has been performed, specialized equipment is used to safely remove contaminants and properly restore your home.
