3 Types of Water in a Home Spill

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

The ceiling collapsed after it became saturated with water due to a pipe leak upstairs.

Water Categories

A home water spill can be a disappointing and confusing experience, especially if it is your first time. All of a sudden, you have a distressing quantity of liquid loose in your home in Oak Tree, OK. Depending upon the situation, it could even continue to release more water into a room. Your first step should be to turn off the water to that pipe or appliance. If you are dealing with contaminated water, you should immediately call for the services of a professional water damage mitigation team in your area. The company will dispatch a crew to your area to get the situation under control.
A water spill could involve any of three types of water. It is important to know a little about each one.

1. Clean Water
This is likely to come in from the home through a supply line. It is clear, drinkable water and usually comes out of taps in your kitchen and bathrooms. While it can still cause damage to your home, it is not always an emergency.

2. Gray Water
This is mildly contaminated water and has a gray appearance that comes from impurities in the water. Liquid from a washing machine or a dishwashing machine would fall into this category, as would water from a toilet bowl provided there are no feces present. This water can do damage to household items and structures much quicker than clean water and it should be cleaned up as soon as possible.

3. Black Water
This refers to water from a sewage spill or from gray water that has sat around for a long time. It usually looks dark and nasty and has unpleasant odors. It should be treated as an emergency and cleanup should be undertaken by trained professionals with appropriate equipment.
While contaminated water is always a serious concern, all water spills in your home require careful cleanup. Some situations call for professional services.