There are several things that can cause water damage; the usual ones that come to mind are plumbing problems in a building or house and the occasional flood. There is a third type we do not like to think about, until it happens and we have to deal with it and that is sewage related water damage. Before tackling water damage it is very important to find out where it is coming from, in order to take necessary precautions. Water damage is categorized into 3 major groups, black, grey and white water damage. The following part of the article will explain what each type means.
Clean Water Damage
White water is also known as clean water and it is the least hazardous of the three. This is the water we use to drink and take a bath in. Nonetheless water damage from white water should be dealt with as soon as possible because it can cause damage to house hold items such as floors, wiring etc. Other than that there is no direct health hazard connected to white water damage. A typical source of white water would be the water that comes from a broken water filter.
Gray Water Damage
The next on the list is gray water. This is the water left over from dishwashing and taking baths. In most situations gray water will contain a certain amount of soap or food particles. Water from a rain storm or leaky roof is also considered to be gray water. The traditional definition of gray water would be water that can be used for plants but should not be used to drink. Grey water sources are usually from broken shower drains or a leaking discharge pipe from the laundry washer.
Black Water Damage
Black water is the nastiest of the three. In most cases the source of black water is from the sewer system. The other sources of black water would be the leftovers of a flood. In some places rain water overflow from gutters is treated as black water. Basically any type of water that cannot be identified should be categorized as black water. In other words until it is tested and its source identified it is officially black water. Once it has been identified as black water you should use professionals for clean up. Not only is black water dangerous to consume but it can even be hazardous to the health when touched. Black water causes diseases such as hepatitis, malaria, cholera, scabies diarrhea and fluorosis.
Cleanliness Of Water Source (Categories)
Hello, i am John and have over ten years experience in water damage clean up, water damage restoration and water damage mold. During my career i noticed that a lot of homeowners are uninformed about water damage and it's consequences. This site provides you with how-to guides and lots of information on water damage and everything what's involved.