Water Damage Categories

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Our highly trained staff can handle and of the Category Water disasters and have the equipment to get the job done.

SERVPRO of Ottumwa/Grinnell is here to help when water damage affects your home or business. The first step is to make a plan to clean up the affected areas after a water loss and bring the property back to preloss conditions. This can be done by determining the cause of the water damage and select the Category type. 

There are three different categories that a water loss is classified in depending on the category of water. 

• Category 1 Water - This category type is from a source of water that does not pose substantial threat to humans and classified as "clean water". Examples are broken water supply lines, tub or sink overflows, or appliance malfunctions that involve water supply lines.
• Category 2 Water - This source is known as "gray water" and this refers to a source of water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contaminants and causes discomfort or sickness when consumed or even exposed to. Examples of Category 2 would be toilet bowls with urine, sump pump failures, seepage due to hydrostatic failure, and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.
•  Category 3 Water - Known as "black water" and is grossly unsanitary. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness. Type 3 category are contaminated water sources that affect the indoor environment. This category includes water sources from sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water, or standing water. Category 2 Water or Grey Water that is not promptly removed from the structure and or have remained stagnant may be re classified as Category 3 Water.

You can depend on our SERVPRO team as we have trained technicians, crew chiefs, and project managers to help determine and clean up these water damages.