24/7 Emergency Service
Understanding the 3 Water Classifications
2/28/2019 (Permalink)
Water that is involved with water damage is classified into three different categories: clean, gray and black, so it is not safe to think that all water is the same. Gaining a better understanding of the differences in these types of water can also help you understand how to better handle a water damage situation.
Whatever the type of water that is involved in water damage, there will most assuredly be a cleanup and restoration process to follow. To begin the process, the most important thing to do is remove all of the moisture and damp items quickly, so that mold will not begin to flourish in its ideal environment.
“Clean” water is free of contaminants and is not the type to pose an immediate threat to your health, much like its name infers. This water can come from:
- Broken water lines
- Malfunctioning appliances
- Toilet holding tanks
- Snow melt and rainwater
Cleanup will be the easiest for damage from this type of water damage since there are fewer microbes living in the water. But after a 48-hour period and contact with the surfaces of buildings, clean water can change to category two, which is gray water.
“Gray” water is where water damage cleanup and restoration can become a bit more complicated. It may pose a health risk due to chemical or biological contamination. That slight contamination in gray water means that it will have to be properly and thoroughly treated before safe consumption.
Gray water is a product of dishwashers, aquariums, showers, etc. Also, the 48-hour exposure time applies here as well, with gray water turning into black water if not treated.
“Black” water presents a hazard and is the most serious of the three classifications because it is considered highly contaminated by harmful chemicals and biological matter. This includes floodwaters containing soil and all sewage waters.
Sewage carries with it contamination caused by microbes, including bacteria, protozoans, molds, fungi and more—many of these can be harmful to humans.
Diseases that can be transmitted by black water are:
- Cholera
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis
- Gastroenteritis-type illnesses
For your safety, assume that all floodwaters are black water since it will pick up contaminants as it makes its way along its path.
All floodwater classifications are recognized by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Remediation Certification (IICRC), which is an organization that certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. Our technicians all study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration and are available to help determine the steps to take to get your home back to normal.
It doesn’t matter what type of water has caused damage to your home or business, SERVPRO® of San Gabrielis here to help get the situation under control and make it "Like it never even happened." Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need emergency cleanup and restoration services!