Addressing Water Damage Issues? Water Source 101
When it comes to water damage issues, it's important to identify the water source before you take any steps to address water damage. It's important to identify the source as the first step of water damage repair for many reasons. However, it's most important to identify it so that you can determine the risk level of that water exposure. Here's a look at what you need to know about the types of water that typically cause water damage.
Clean Water
Damage caused by clean water is the easiest, and fastest, damage that you can repair. That's because you don't have to worry about how you handle the water and anything that's come in contact with it.
Clean water is water that's not contaminated or at risk of potentially causing illness. This includes water from your incoming water pipes, hot water tank, or a similar source. This water is fresh, free of any kind of pathogens or bacteria, and safe for exposure.
You'll just have to pump the water out of the area, dry out all of the furnishings, carpeting, and anything else that's soaked up water. Then, you should dry out the walls, floor, and the rest of the space with an industrial fan. Finally, treat all of the exposed areas with a mold inhibitor to protect your home from the dangers of mold growth.
Moderate Contamination
Water that's moderately contaminated is water that can't be considered clean, but that doesn't necessarily pose a safety risk. Typically referred to as greywater, this is water that's been drained from washing machines, dishwashers, fish tanks, streams, and storm run-off. All of these things are sources of moderately contaminated water.
In most cases, this water isn't clean enough to drink. However, it's also not a risk for bacterial contamination or illness. You'll want to be more thorough about cleaning up areas exposed to greywater, though. Talk with your water damage repair technician about treating surfaces with disinfectants to ensure that there's no potential hazard.
Significant Contamination
You might also encounter water that's been significantly contaminated. This is water that's a serious threat for bacterial, viral, or pathogenic contamination. Water that's contaminated like this is usually classified as black water, and it's from sources like septic systems, water treatment plants, runoff from livestock-heavy pastures, and similar sources.
If you come into contact with this water, you risk exposure to pathogens, bacteria, or viruses that could make you very ill. It's important to leave black water contamination to the water damage repair professionals. They have the tools, equipment, and experience to address this type of water damage properly and safely. Trying to deal with this type of water damage on your own could leave you ill or worse.
These are the types of water you might encounter with water damage. Consider the source carefully and provide as much information as possible to your water damage repair contractor when you call for service. You can click here for more information.
