Where did the water damage come from?

12/4/2017 (Permalink)

Water can enter and damage a structure from numerous sources. The three major types of water are clean water, gray water and black water, which might include external flooding or sewage back-up.

Clean water is just that – it does not contain waste products. Sources of clean water include burst pipes, defective appliances and rain or snow when a structure has a leaky or damaged roof. The water generated by natural disasters such as rain and heavy snow is usually relatively clean and presents few health problems.

Gray water is water that has been used and carries waste products, but does not include human waste. Examples include and overflowing washing machine or dishwasher which dumps water on the floor, or a shower stall or sink which is overflowing. This type of water contains waste products, but generally does not present the hazard of spreading disease. Water used to control structural fires also carries waste, but does not normally present a danger of spreading diseases.

Black water that contains pathogenic agents and is grossly unsanitary. Floods are an example of black water and can cause the most severe damage to structures and their contents, and they can also spread disease-causing organisms. Floods can completely inundate a structure. Flood waters carry silt, mud and debris of every imaginable type. Special precautions must be taken to protect workers from disease-carrying residues.

Because of the potential for such large amounts of water, and the possibility that it may be days or even weeks before the flood waters recede, structural damage is very likely.

Sewage back-up also has the potential of spreading disease. It can be as simple as a commode overflow, or can it can be a massive disaster. Municipal sewage lines can become plugged and force large amounts of sewage up through all drains connected to the system.

SERVPRO of South Orange County has the experience, knowledge, equipment and products to handle any size and any type of water damage.