UNDERSTANDING CATEGORY 1,2 & 3 Water Damages
As part of the initial water damage assessment our restoration technician’s will determine the category of water ingress. Water damage category classifications are published in the IICRC S500 which is the leading industry standard for professional water damage restoration. There are three distinct categories of water and each category is treated differently based on the level of contamination.
At Budget Total Cleaning and Restoration our experienced technician’s properly identify the category of water to ensure safety and prevent mould, structural damage or odours.
Category 1 Water Damage : Clean Water
This type of water originates from a clean and controlled source, such as a burst pipe or rainwater. Category 1 water is free of significant contaminated and poses minimal health risks if dealt within 48 hours. If left unattended for more than 48 hours it can develop microbial growth, potentially escalating to a category 2 water damage. As the clean water sits, it begins to absorb dirt, wick into porous materials and promote rapid bacterial and microbial growth, which escalates the health risk and requires a more intensive restoration process.
Category 1 water damage can be treated with standard extraction and drying methods.
Category 2 Water Damage: Grey Water
Grey water contains a level of contamination that may make you ill if ingested or contacted.
This type of water includes discharge from aquariums, dishwashers, washing machines, bathtub overflow or toilet overflow without solid waste. Grey water may carry soap and chemicals and mild pathogens, making for a more intensive sanitization process necessary.
In category 2 water damages, the carpet underlay almost always needs to be removed and discarded. The foam underlay acts like a sponge and cannot be safely sanitized once contaminated with grey water. Industry restoration standards mandate its replacement.
Professional sanitization and a through drying process will be essential to prevent mould growth and lingering odours.
Category 3 Water Damage: Black Water
Black water is highly unsanitary and toxic water containing pathogenic agents. This includes sewage backups, rising floodwater from rivers or seawater and stagnant, untreated category 1 or 2 water.
Note: If the grey water sits untreated for another 48 hours, it can degrade further into category 3 black water which poses severe health hazards.
Budget Total Cleaning follow specialised procedures and professional intervention according to industry standards;
Porous materials removal – All affected porous materials such as carpets, underlay, insulation batts, skirtings and lower section of plaster wall linings must be bagged, removed and disposed.
Structural Drying – All affected Non-porous surfaces and structural timbers must be thoroughly cleaned , professionally disinfected and mechanically dried.
Clearance Testing – Professional assessment is recommended post-cleanup to verify the area is safe for reoccupation.
If your carpet has experienced water damage call the certified experts at Budget Total Cleaning and Restoration.