While water damage is a fairly common occurrence in most homes, dealing with it can still be a daunting task. When your home experiences water damage as a result of a flood or other natural disasters, it is important to act quickly in order to clean up and start the restoration process right away.
The nature of the water damage is important when assessing restoration and repair options. Here’s what to know about water damage from the professionals at ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief.
Causes Of Water Damage
Water damage can stem from:
- Broken appliances or equipment
- Leaking sinks or pipes
- Disconnected washer hoses
- Water seeping into your home
- Leaking sinks or pipes
- Storms, floods and other severe weather phenomena
In the long term, untreated water damage can:
- Lower the value of your property
- Compromise structural integrity
- Cause health issues due to mold exposure
- Cause the rotting or warping of wood
- Discolor walls
- Cause severe damage to electrical systems, appliances and other home equipment
Categories of Water Damage
It’s always better to know the different categories of water damage that you are dealing with. There are three categories of water damage as designated by the IICRC (the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification).
Clean water (Category 1) – this type involves water that does not pose a threat to humans. This could stem from broken appliances or overflowing sinks, among others.
Gray water (Category 2) – this type of water is contaminated and may cause sickness if ingested. It contains toxic microorganisms that can cause serious threats to our health. Examples of this is water from broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage.
Black water (Category 3) – this type of water is unsanitary, as it contains bacteria and other organisms that cause serious health issues. Black water damage can result from sewage backups and standing water contamination.
Classes Of Water Damage
Class 1
- This is the least harmful form of damage. This type consists of clean, clear, and potable water.
- Materials absorb very little of the water from this type of damage. Water damage repair is the easiest in this type of situation.
Class 2
- This will typically affect an entire room. It has a fast rate of evaporation, which means that carpets and cushions may be damaged.
- Water damage repair for this class is more difficult than Class 1.
Class 3
- Class 3 may need to have a lot more demolition involved. It has the fastest rate of evaporation.
- In this case, the water may come from broken sprinklers or other overhead sources, soaking the walls and furniture. Ceilings may be wet and damaged, along with other materials such as wet insulation and behind the walls.
Class 4
- This requires special water restoration and water removal procedures. This type of damage may affect hardwood floors, plaster, and concrete.
- Special drying methods and longer dry out times are usually involved in these types of situations. This type is the most complicated and hardest to deal with.
Regardless of what category and class of water damage you are dealing with, our experts at ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief are here to help. We can get your property back to its pre-loss condition. We offer water removal, dehumidification, water leak detection, structural drying, and more.
We Respond to Emergency Water Damage Restoration in Oldsmar, Florida
Contact ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief at (813) 295-7797 or message us to know more about our restoration services. We service Oldsmar, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, and Safety Harbor, Florida and the surrounding areas.
- Over 30 Years of Experience
- IICRC Certified Firm
- 24/7 Live Answering Service
- Advanced Technology
- Fast Response Time
- Qualified and Experienced Technicians
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Contact ServiceMaster by Disaster Relief at (813) 295-7797 or message us to know more about our restoration services. We service Oldsmar, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Florida and surrounding areas.
