Types of Water Damage and How to Handle It
Do you know the top damage to property in America is currently, in terms of the total expense? Damaged property due to Water Damage Restoration.
However, these aren't the most frequent causes of a damp basement, or a flooded basement, or business. In the Midwest, the broken sump pump and frozen water pipes, as well as sewer lines that are backed up, are the main causes for damaged properties due to water. Appliances that are down the drain are frequent culprits. If you've had the experience of having an electric heated water heater or washer or dishwasher suddenly begin to leak (or flow) water, you've probably been in a state of fear and anxiety (or pure anxiety) witnessing water flow where it wasn't intended to go, coming in contact with flooring, walls and personal belongings that are easily damaged due to water.
What can you do in the scenario? What can you do to prevent or minimize the damage to your possessions and property in the event that you discover your normally dry business or basement suddenly damp?
The key is to understand the situation and take swift actions - the quicker the better.
Types of Water Damage
There are three types of water:
The first category is clean water. Water from the dishwasher or hot water heater is pure water.
Category Two is moderately affected water.Washing machine water, or groundwater that results from a failed sump pump, is a little polluted water. It is contaminated by high levels of bacteria but not sufficient to create a health risk for humans or pets.
Categories One waters, left in the water for too long it can change to Category Two within two days.
The category 3 is extremely polluted water that is contaminated, and contains amounts of pathogens and bacteria which could present a direct health risk for humans as well as pets.
Water in Category Two, if left to stand it will change to Category Three in the next two to three days.
The water in Category 3 usually comes from sewage or sewer lines that are backed up It could also include the water that comes from rivers and lakes.
Handling the Situation: Water Damage Restoration
What do you do if your business or home floods?
In the beginning, you should figure out the source of the water from and determine whether there is an immediate step you can take to assist in solving the issue.
Example: If your basement has been flooded in or shortly after a rainfall storm, there's probably nothing you can do since either the sump pump has failed either the municipal sewer or even the sump pump is leaking through the floor drain.
However, if you notice that water running through the walls or ceiling, there's a good chance that it's the result of a leak and you must shut off the water supply for the entire home. If you're using city water the main shutoff valve is nearly always at the bottom of the house, which is located at the entrance of the house, near the water meters. It is also helpful to open the faucets within the house to flush the pipes.
