Dealing with Water Damage: 3 Categories of Water Damage. What You Need to Know

If you’re a homeowner, water damage is something to be aware of and prepared for. Whether it’s from rain, flooding, or a plumbing accident, the extent of the damage can vary greatly. Understanding the different categories of water damage will help you determine what type of property damage can be expected and how best to handle insurance companies and insurance coverages for any damage that may occur. In this article our Salt Lake City water damage certified experts from All Pro Services will discuss the different types of water damage you may encounter. 

Category 1 Water Damage (Clean Water) 

This type of water is generally considered non-hazardous and poses no risk to humans or animals. Common sources include burst pipes or leaking appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers. Category 1 water damage often results in minimal property damage if dealt with quickly and professionally. 

Category 2 Water Damage (Gray Water) 

This type of water contains some contaminants that can pose health risks to humans and animals if ingested or exposed to skin. Sources include washing machine overflows, sink drains, and other common household sources that contain some contaminants but are not hazardous. Property damage can range from moderate to extensive depending on the duration between initial contact with the contaminated source and when repairs begin. 

Category 3 Water Damage (Black Water) 

This type of contamination carries greater health risks than category 1 or 2 because it contains pathogenic organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., that can cause serious illnesses if ingested or exposed to skin. This typically comes from sewage back-ups due to flooding or overflowing toilets/sewers but can also come from groundwater seepage into a basement area due to excessive rain water pooling outside your foundation walls. Black water requires professional cleaning products as well as special protective gear in order for workers to enter an affected area safely without risking their own health while they clean up debris. 

Property damage caused by black water is often significant and requires costly repairs including removal/replacement of affected materials and specialized treatments such as mold remediation due to increased risk of mold growth in damp environments where organic matter has been allowed to sit for long periods of time before being dried out completely. 

Dealing With Insurance Companies 

When dealing with an insurance company after a loss related to any category of water damage, homeowners should be aware that certain policies may only cover certain types of losses depending on their specific policy coverage terms. For instance, some policies may cover clean-water losses but not gray- or black-water losses. Additionally, homeowners should always document all losses associated with the claim, so they can ensure they are getting full compensation from their insurance company for all covered damages incurred during the loss event.

In conclusion, understanding the different categories of water damage will help you prepare for any potential home disasters related to flooding or plumbing accidents, so that you know what kind of property damage can be expected and how best to deal with insurance companies should any issues arise. It's important that homeowners stay alert about potential hazards associated with excess moisture buildup in their homes whether it's caused by external factors like heavy rains or internal causes such as faulty plumbing fixtures, so actions can be taken immediately before serious problems develop over time causing extensive structural damages requiring costly repairs down the road. With proper prevention practices in place along with having adequate insurance coverage for water-related incidents, dealing with any form of unexpected water disaster doesn't have to be a daunting task!

If you are in the Salt Lake City and surrounding areas and are dealing with a water damage emergency, call in the Pro’s at All Pro Services at 385-855-2252 24/7/365.