Water damage is some of the most expensive and dangerous restorations you can encounter as a homeowner. Causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost property as well as damage to the structure itself. So what exactly is water damage? Well, I’m here to help you get a full understanding of what exactly is water damage.
The general description of water damage is, caused by water being where it shouldn’t be. It can get there by either a burst pipe, faulty water pump, or a flood. Some places around the country are more susceptible to water damage Western Wayne County in MI. They are perfectly located close enough to the Detroit River that they experience flooding on regular bases.
There are three types of water categories.
– water is clean, clear water (called white water)
– is dirty can has the potential of causing health issues, but not without certainty (called grey water).
– water is dirty water, that potentially can be toxic or cause illness of infection (called black water).
It’s very important to remember the difference because 2 & 3 category water presents health risks to your family, and must be handled differently.
The best rule of thumb, to keep your family safe, is if you don’t know where the water came from then treat it like category 2 or 3 until you can properly identify it’s source. Category 1 water typically comes from pipes, water heater, steam lines or rainwater; and it should look and smell like tap water.
Clean Water Damage
This type of damage is very common. Something as simple as a faucet, sink or leaking dishwasher is considered clean water damage. Though the problem isn’t dangerous to your health on a small scale, if left alone, the damage can cause issues like mold or mildew in the affected area; and those can be harmful to your health.
Most of these repairs are smaller, but if the waters have been absorbed into surrounding materials, it’s best to call a water damage restoration professional, just to make sure it’s been completely repaired.
Grey Water Damage
Greywater involves water that has some hazardous contaminants, including microorganisms that cause health issues. The most common culprits of greywater damage are sump pumps and toilets. So if you have a leak from there, do yourself a favor and take precautions; use boots, gloves, and goggles when removing the contaminated water. Once the water is removed, and the leak is stopped, the area will need to be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant as everything the water touched will be contaminated as well.
Black Water Damage
This is the most hazardous of all water damage. This type of water contains many harmful microorganisms including sewage and chemical waste. Flood damage and sewage backups are the most common forms of black water damage.
Because of the high risk to your health, it is advised to seek out professional health in removing and cleaning the areas contaminated by Blackwater damage. Because of the high amount of contaminants in Blackwater, if you have been exposed you’ll want to wash thoroughly with warm water and scrub yourself vigorously with soap. Blackwater has also been known to cause respiratory problems and other breathing issues.
Regardless of the source of water that has caused damage to your home or property. Please take it very seriously, water damage in Western Wayne County has some of the leading experts in repairing and handling hazardous water.
