What Qualifies As Water Damage?

water damage cleanup cincinnatiIn Cincinnati, water damage cleanup is needed every day. Unfortunately, water damage is far more common than it seems. According to industry estimates, 14,000 people in the US experience a water damage emergency at home or work each day, and 98% of basements in the US will suffer from some type of water damage during their lifetime. However, if you have never experienced water damage before, it may be difficult to know when it is happening to you. 

Water Damage Cleanup – Cincinnati

Water damage is usually described as any possible loss that occurs from water intruding into a place it shouldn’t be. It can be destructive in nature, as it can destroy possessions, home features, and structures. This water damage can come from internal forces like burst pipes or malfunctioning appliances, or external forces such as overflowing rivers or heavy rains. With that being said, there are several categories of water damage that cause varying degrees of damage. 

Category 1

This type causes the least amount of damage of all three. It is considered “clean” water damage because it doesn’t pose any threat to people exposed to it. Clean water damage is free of any sewage and chemicals. The water in this category is well water, purified water, or city water. Usually, only small amounts of damage are done. Anything affected can be dried and easily restored. With that being said, it is still important to clean up properly and quickly to avoid mold growth. 

Category 2

The second category is known as “gray water” damage and can cause some health risks to those around it. It includes dirty water from sump pump backups, toilets, and washing machines. All the water in category 2 contains significant levels of contaminants, chemicals, bacteria, or mold. Homes that are afflicted by category 2 water damage must remove any items affected and disinfect the home since it can cause more damage in the future. 

Category 3

This last type is the most harmful to humans and can present major health problems to anyone near this water damage. It is known as “black water” and must be avoided at all costs. It includes extremely toxic contaminants such as sewage, rising flood waters, seawater, as well as river and groundwater. Water like this carries harmful pollutants which have huge, negative effects on the body if consumed or contacted. Unfortunately, anything porous like furniture and wood items that are damaged by black water damage will have to be removed from the home completely. The home will also need to undergo significant disinfection in order to safely reenter the area. 

Professional Help

Water damage can pose a bigger threat than it may seem on the surface. It is an extremely overwhelming disaster to deal with and must be handled properly. To avoid water damage becoming a bigger issue than it needs to be, take advantage of professional help accessible to you. Experts at ICON Property Rescue are always ready to help whenever you need it. You can have the peace of mind of a safe and sound home after they help you remedy the situation.