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Categories of Water
2/19/2020 (Permalink)
Septic back up at a residence in Malibu caused damage to the residence. Cat 3 water was coming from every drain in the residence.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 13.7% of all water used in homes is the result of water leaking from broken pipes. Because of the potential for water damage wasted water and higher water bills, it can be important to seek prompt water pipe repair if you have a leak. However, water damage can come from many different sources that can carry different levels of risk and require different methods of cleanup and water damage restoration. The IIRC classifies water damage into three categories based on the contamination level of the water and the difficulty of removal.
- Category 1: Clean Water
Clean water originates from a source that isn't contaminated by chemicals or biological agents, such as clean water from a bathtub, toilet or leaking appliance. If the standing water remains for more than 48 hours it can progress to category 2. For this reason, it can be important to address standing water and sources of leaks, such as a pipe that needs water pipe repair, promptly.
- Category 2: Grey Water
Greywater may be contaminated with mold, bacteria or chemicals. Sources of greywater can include dirty water from dishwashers and washing machines, leaking water beds, or a leak from a toilet that contains urine. Standing water from this category that has been standing for more than 48 hours can become a category 3.
- Category 3: Black Water
Blackwater may be contaminated with biological organisms, bacteria or toxins. Sources of black water may include a broken toilet that contains feces, backup from a sewer system, and water from streams and rivers that have flooded.
Whether you have a broken pipe in need of water pipe repair or flood damage from a storm, the longer you wait to address the issue, the more serious it can become. For this reason, it can be wise to contact a water removal professional in SERVPRO Malibu/Topanga Canyon/ Pacific Palisades promptly.