Storm Damage Versus Water Damage Cleanup: What's the Difference?

9/14/2018 (Permalink)

When dealing with Category One damage, the best approach is to quickly eliminate water and moisture that may lead to mold.

Storms, flooding, and leaks can all damage your home. While water is the source of the damage in all of these situations, the major difference is the category of water involved. Find out about the three categories of water damage and how cleanup varies between storm damage, flood damage, and leaks.

• Category One water is clean and treated. A burst supply pipe is the most common source of a Category One leak.

• Category Two water is also known as gray water. This water may contain bacteria or chemicals but not sewage or solid waste.

• Category Three water is sometimes referred to as black water. Black water is the most common type involved in flooding, and is highly contaminated.

The cleanup procedures necessary for these categories of water damage vary.

Category One Cleanup

The water involved in a category one leak is clean and treated. As bacteria is not a concern, the only cleanup procedures necessary involve eliminating any standing water and thoroughly drying the affected area. You may still want to rely on fans and dehumidifiers to dry the area more quickly and prevent mold from forming.

Category Two Cleanup

Category Two cleanup should involve cleaning and disinfection as well as thorough drying. This type of backup or leak is not as severe as damage from a flood or sewer backup.

Category Three Cleanup

Floods and severe sewage backups involve black water containing solid waste. Cleaning and disinfection is necessary to limit infection risks, and the area must be completely dried to prevent mold.

When dealing with Category One damage, the best approach is to quickly eliminate water and moisture that may lead to mold. Most flooding and storm damage cleanup involves black water and requires cleaning and disinfection in addition to drying. Resolve any situation as soon as possible by contacting a flood damage restoration company in Edmond, OK. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROedmond.com/.