SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield outlines the types of water damage and how to handle them

1/26/2023 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield explains the three common categories of water damage.

As a home or business owner, there's always the chance of a pipe leaking and flooding or a machine or appliance malfunctioning and splashing water everywhere.

When this happens, and you call a water damage restoration company, they'll ask you to describe the "type of water damage" you have.

Why? Because the first stage in water damage restoration is determining the source of the water damage. Depending on this information, water damage repair experts tailor their techniques to ensure a fast and efficient restoration.

The team at SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield, a water damage restoration company in El Dorado, East El Paso, TX, has outlined the three common types of water damage below.

Type 1: (category one water damage) - clean water

Category one is water damage caused by water from a clean source. It is the easiest type of water damage to manage since it's clean water from a typically hygienic or natural source and is expected to contain fewer hazardous microorganisms.

Clean water damage typically results from a faulty appliance, a broken sprinkler, a busted pipe, melting snow, or rainwater.

Despite being less dangerous, clean water must be restored quickly and correctly to avoid mold and mildew. If left unattended for a long time, the water can cause mold to grow in less than 24 hours. It could also attract bacteria, which would make it harmful.

It's best to call a water damage restoration specialist like SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield for clean water damage restoration.

Type 2: (Category two water damage) - gray water

Category 2 water damage is water damage caused by gray water, often referred to as sullage. Greywater refers to wastewater from domestic appliances such as sinks, washing machines, dishwashers, bathtubs, and showers. It usually has fewer germs when compared to blackwater and can be utilized for non-potable tasks like toilet flushing. Greywater still has trace levels of pollutants, which, when consumed, can cause disease.

A massive storm, an overflowing plumbing fixture or appliance, or even a burst pipe can all result in greywater flooding.

It's essential to exercise caution when cleaning greywater damage. Wear safety gear, and keep kids, pets, and those with weakened immune systems away from the flooded area. It's best to employ water damage restoration specialists to carefully clean up and sterilize the area if the damage is significant. The cleaning must also be done quickly to prevent mold growth.

Type 3: (Category three water damage) - black water damage

This type is the riskiest kind of water damage. It frequently happens due to natural disasters or when raw sewage is dumped. It is usually contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, pesticides, or other dangerous biological and/or chemical agents.

Remember that black water damage may not always be black. Flooded freshwater or ocean water is sometimes referred to as black water due to the numerous unidentified toxins that might be present at any given moment.

It is not recommended that you clean up black water damage yourself. Get in touch with a licensed water damage restoration specialist to analyze the issue and create a strategy to clean up the damage.

Get professional water damage restoration services in Dorado East and El Paso, TX

If you need reliable and effective water damage restoration services to restore your property to its preloss state, get in touch with the team at SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield. SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield provides 24/7 water damage restoration services to residents and businesses in Dorado East and El Paso, TX.

They have a team of highly experienced water restoration technicians ready to recover and restore your property fast. They will clean and dry your whole space and restore any affected belongings.

Call SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield at (915) 234-2679 to speak to a restoration technician about your needs.