Undeniably, water damage restoration services are the most demanding in Florida and the USA. Do you know floods are the #1 natural disaster in the USA? This means water can cause damage to commercial and residential settings beyond your imagination. But the damage doesn’t need to occur due to floods only. Sometimes, it would be a worn-out pipe with extensive leakage, a broken appliance, or a bursting pipe, and these are all the basis of the different damage categories.
Before you learn about the action plans, you must know the contamination level so that you can understand all the ifs and buts of the damage while claiming insurance.
The Understanding of the “Categories”
Water damage claims are the most common and high-priced claims in Florida State. That’s why you must know the categories well before knowing which category your loss falls in. So, understanding the potential damage range of contamination in water is one of the decisive factors for the insurance claim.
According to the ISO (Insurance Services Offices), the primary damage categories are 1, 2, and 3. And according to IICRC, these categories are driven based on
- Range of contamination of water
- The material that comes in contact with this water
- Originating source and its quality
Let’s dive into the particulars of each category.
Category 1: Sanitary “ Clean Water”
It’s the least severe category because water from broken pipes, overflowing sinks, and rain is considered clean. The two foremost factors that are designated in this category are
- The leaked water is not contaminated.
- It does not pose significant health risks.
The examples of sources that are responsible for the release of sanitary water are
- Rainwater and melting snow.
- Toilet tanks and water supply lines.
- Disturbance or malfunctioning of the appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines.
- Overflowing tub and sink.
- Broken toilet tanks and bowls without contaminants and additives.
Pro Tip to Deal with Category 1 Damage
It’s imperative to deal with category 1 water damage within the first 24 hours because ignoring the damage and just hopping on the unreliable service provider will only result in its expansion into categories 2 and 3. Do you want to know the reasons? The prolonged damage can result in the growth of deadly mold, which can affect your health and safety and disturb the structural integrity of your properties.
So call the professionals before it’s too late.
Category 2: Significantly Contaminated “ Gray Water”
You need to worry about Category 2 water damage. The water discharged during laundry, soap, and detergent chemical wastes are all follow-ups of gray water. According to Northern Arizona University, the category two water is
- It has chemical, biological, and physical contamination
- It can cause health issues
The sources which are causing severe contamination risk and imposing health issues are
- Overflow of the water (containing detergents and cloth fabrics )from the washing machine tub.
- Overflowing toilet tub that contains urine
- The seepage of hydrostatic pressure and sump pump collapses
- Dishwasher discharge that contains food particles and grease
- Standing water in a flooded basement, which demands Emergency Basement Restoration, is also an example of a Category 2
Pro Tip to Deal with Category 2 Damage
The first thing to do while dealing with water damage of category 2 is “do not forget to wear gloves, goggles, and respirators.” Gray water is substantially considered contaminated due to the presence of microbes. Make sure to give a bell to professionals on time because the category will not take too long to convert into category 3. The extended periods will result in stagnant water filled with pathogenic bacteria and mold.
Category 3: Grossly Contaminated “Black Water”
The severe and the dangerous words clearly describe the black water, which means category 3. According to IICRC S500, category three is defined by two main factors such as
- The water is contaminated, pathogenic, and toxigenic.
- It has a 90% chance of causing and infecting any disease.
The sources of release of this black water are
- An extended form of Category 1 and Category 2 water damage
- Overflow of the toilet bowl with feces
- River or stream water that enters the basement or indoors of your home and commercial setting
- Natural storms or heavy rainfalls
- Sewage leaks and backups
Pro Tip to deal with the Category 3 Damage
Category 3 damage is critical as it is in flux due to deadly bacteria, pathogens, and molds. Donot deal with the damage without having the advanced protective wear and equipment for cleaning the microbes. So donot deal with it on your own; always hand over the category 3 water damages to the experts because it’s the only way to protect your homes and health from the pathogenic effects of bacteria.
So whenever you experience damage, minor or significant, category 1 or 3, call Full Service Pros because we are reviving spaces from all sorts of damages for every Florida resident.
Why Full Service Pros for Water Damage Restoration?
Do you know why a specialist like Full Service Pros should always be in your dial history for water damage restoration? Our restoration process adheres to customers’ concerns.
Curious about the process? Here is a quick overview for your peace of mind
- We are available 24/7, 7 days a week, and throughout the year. Our experts will respond instantly in minutes to listen to and resolve your questions about mold, fire, and water damage.
- Within hours, our specialists will be at your property to assess and inspect the source and extent of the damage to stop and clear it.
- With the advanced equipment, the water will sweep out of your homes and commercial settings.
- High-quality bleaches and disinfectants will be used to sanitize the property.
- The dehumidifiers will be used to lower the level of humidity, and repairs will made (if you have booked a plumbing service as well)
We only take an exit once your property is in satisfactory condition.
Full Service Pros: Available for You 24/7
Water is an essential part of life and a critical one if it comes in excess in the form of storms, rainfall, and tornadoes; that situation brings up the demand for water damage restoration from professionals with full-fledged expertise.
Full Service Pros are restoration partners with years of expertise in tackling damages to homes, businesses, and properties. In addition to being adept, we have all the equipment, such as air filters, dehumidifiers, and high-quality bleach, to sanitize your places.
Once we start, we make sure that no piece of damage left behind.
