3 Classifications of Water-Related Issues and When You Need to Call a Professional

Any water damage to your home is a cause for concern. Even a small leak can cause mold and mildew growth and structural damage, and time is of the essence when it comes to cleanup. 

Although cleanup and restoration by a professional water damage company in Ogden, UT are imperative when a weather event, plumbing leak, or other incident affects your property, some types of damage require a more in-depth response. Knowing the three classifications of water damage allows you to communicate with the company more effectively and arrange for the appropriate water damage restoration services. 

How Water Damage Companies Classify Damage 

When you call a water damage company for help with a leak or flood, they will use the IICRC classification system to guide their response. The system evaluates the problem based on the type of water that caused the damage, not the extent of the damage itself. The following are the three categories of damage. 

Category 1

Category 1 water damage is the easiest to clean up. It comes from clean water, such as a broken water supply line or an overflowing sink. It doesn’t contain harmful bacteria or other contaminants and doesn’t present any health risks to humans. 

In most cases, remediation for Class 1 water damage is less complicated because materials don’t absorb as much moisture, and there’s little to no standing water. The water damage company team uses water-extracting equipment to clean carpets and other surfaces, then dries and sanitizes the affected area. 

Class 1 water damage requires prompt attention so it doesn’t become more serious. It only takes 48 hours for environmental contaminants to turn Class 1 damage into more severe Class 2 damage. 

Category 2 

Category 2 water damage is damage from gray water, which may contain chemicals or other harmful contaminants. Gray water can come from an overflowing toilet, a broken sump pump, seepage, and appliances like the washing machine or dishwasher. While the microbes in gray water may not present immediate health risks, the longer the water sits, the more harmful they become. 

Gray water can cause significant damage to soft surfaces like area rugs and upholstery. The sooner the water damage restoration occurs, the better, so you can stop the growth of harmful microorganisms and the potential for illness.

Category 3 

Category 3 water damage involves black water, making it the most dangerous type. It always requires professional intervention to prevent long-term health effects. 

Black water occurs when a sewer line breaks or backs up or a weather event like a hurricane floods your home. You should never attempt to clean up black water yourself, as it contains harmful chemicals, bacteria, pesticides, and other contaminants that can make you seriously ill. Even breathing the air near black water can make you and your family sick. 

This type of water damage can saturate walls, floors, and soft surfaces. Often, it requires removing and replacing the affected materials, as well as disinfection after drying surfaces.

When to Get Help With Water Damage 

When water infiltrates your home, your first response should be to evaluate the risk to your family’s health and well-being. Category one or two water may not present any immediate danger, but category three black water is dangerous, and you should leave until professional cleanup and remediation takes place. 

Homeowners should always seek professional water damage restoration services, regardless of classification. Even clean water can present a health risk and destroy the structure and your belongings if it stands too long. The damage may appear minimal, but mold and other contaminants can proliferate in hours without action. 

A professional water damage company will assess and evaluate the damage to determine the appropriate course of action, then use high-powered extraction equipment, dryers, and dehumidifiers to remove the moisture. Thorough cleaning and sanitization and applying mold-inhibiting products follow to ensure safety for your home and family. 

Call Swift Restoration at the First Sign of Water Damage 

As soon as you notice water damage, call the professionals at Swift Restoration and Remodeling to investigate and solve the problem. Our IICRC-certified technicians are on call 24/7 to help Ogden, UT area homeowners respond to disasters with water damage cleanup and restoration. You can rest easy knowing that you can reach a local water damage company for prompt, professional recovery, including help with homeowners insurance claims, that helps you get back to normal as quickly as possible.

When the unthinkable happens, get emergency help from Swift Restoration and Remodeling by calling (385) 412-8633 or fill out our contact form on our website.