Understanding the Different Types of Contaminated Water

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Crawlspace with insulation falling due to a water leak.

Summer is almost here and so are heavy rain, major storms and vacations!  Water damage can wreak havoc on your New Jersey home, so being prepared for whatever nature throws at us is important. Understanding the different categories of flood water will not only help ensure that you and your family are safe but can help you remediate the damage more effectively.

Read below to learn the difference between black water, gray water and clean water floods.

1. Category 1 Floods
   Category 1, or clean water floods are floods without the presence of contaminants. As the least dangerous types of floods, they typically originate from a supply line burst, a shower leak or some other type of clean water source. Just because these floods aren't as dangerous doesn't mean that they shouldn't be taken seriously. If left untreated for too long, a clean water flood can turn into a Category 2 flood.
2. Category 2 Floods
   Gray water floods are also known as Category 2 floods. This flood contains mildly contaminated water, but without the biohazard risk. These floods are often caused when household appliances malfunction and flood, such as dishwashers and laundry machines. If these types of floods are left untreated for longer than 48 hours, a Category 2 flood will quickly become a Category 3 flood.
3. Category 3 Floods
   Category 3, or black water floods are the most dangerous. They are categorized by the presence of biohazards, such as human or animal fecal matter, raw sewage and dangerous chemicals or pesticides. These floods are usually caused by toilet overflow, sewage back flow or a flooding riverbank. You should never attempt to resolve this type of flood by yourself, due to the possible risks involved with sewage cleanup. Instead, you should contact water damage professionals as soon as you can.

All types of floods are capable of inflicting serious amounts of damage. That being said, it's still important for you to learn the differences between the various types of contaminated water. Make sure to contact flood remediation experts for assistance if your home is suffering from the effects of a flood.